Like ripping off a Band-Aid, it’s always best to get the bad news out of the way first. Here it is: The peeps who got us the movie times for the Academy Theater gave us the wrong times this week. So those Academy times that’re in the paper this week? Uh, yeah. They’re wrong. That fucking sucks, I know, because everyone and their mom (and especially your mom) knows that the Mercury’s movie times are easily the most thorough and reliable in town. So even though mistakes like this only happen in the Mercury every once in a great while, we still regret the error.

The good news, however, is this: Via Found It!, we’ve got the current Academy times all updated and reliable.

And! Now also seems like a good opportunity to brag about our constantly-updated coverage of the Portland International Film Festival—we’ve got a ton of reviews of stuff that’s playing at PIFF this year (even more online than in the paper), and all of it’s easily accessible via (you guessed it) Found It! and our listings for the Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium and Broadway Metroplex. Check out our web-exclusive reviews of films like Operation Filmmaker, Silent Light, Shotgun Stories, Snow Angels, Romulus, My Father, and more.

Again, sorry for the fuck up. As a certain Cloud City administrator would say, “It’s not my fault!” Which it isn’t. But hey, at least this movie times business is just kind of inconvenient and annoying—it’s not like we’re, you know, pretending to be your friend while surreptitiously tricking you into getting tortured by Darth Vader or anything. Man! Lando Calrissian! What a jerk!

The mayor wannabes weigh in today on what to do about Peak Oil.

Last year the city adopted recommendations made by the Portland Peak Oil Task Force but little action has been taken. If one of the major solutions to global warming and peak oil is to reduce energy consumption and with it, reduce growth, how would you as a city commissioner approach this goal knowing that the business community prefers an unsustainable status quo?

-Jonathan Brandt
SE Portland

Slav Davidson pledges to turn 1/5 of the roads into food-producing gardens, Jeff Taylor calls out Mayor Tom Potter for “little ideas but also… little action,” Craig Gier keeps it simple and “promise[s] to do what ever it took to make this a better place,” and James B. Lee says he almost certainly “the lowest carbon footprint of any candidate for Mayor.” Sam Adams talks about the work he’s done at the city with private business “partnering to prepare Portland for a post-Peak Oil economy,” and Sho Dozono cites his business experience operating “with great concern and respect for environmental issues” and says “not all businesses are the remorseless status quo mongers you suggest.” Touché!

Oh yeah, and Kyle Burris is “in a mood” and calls out the other candidates for “an endless sea of safe, almost liberal complainings, and vague, rehashed planings all designed to try to keep this fundamentally fucked up system of ours from crashing to the ground, and killing everyone who would never think of getting out of the way.”

First up, Slav Davidson, back from a short hiatus:

Vladislav Davidzon
Position sought: Mayor
Website: ourportland.org
Public financing status: Not participating

I am the only candidate running on a platform (www.slav4pdx.com) focused entirely on sustainability who also has the business experience combined with a very clear understanding of sustainability and permaculture to make the significant changes needed. I am the only candidate who feels equally comfortable in a corporate boardroom as I do getting my hands dirty on an organic farm, and I understand the challenges and the resulting opportunities better than any other candidate running for Mayor.

What is good for our environment is good for our economy. It is truly that simple, and it is deeply unfortunate that so many managers and CEOs are missing out on the tremendous financial opportunity that the sustainability movement presents to their bottom line. I have built two businesses fundamentally focused on doing the right thing for the environment as a means towards generating profit and I passionately
believe that business and environment ought not stand at odds with each other. My track record is clearly outlined on my website at www.slav4pdx.com .

I am the only candidate running on a platform of localizing our economy through a small business grant program. We need to seriously look at localizing our economy through creating a local Cascadia currency, a project I would undertake as one of my first priorities in office. We simply must look at how we can keep our money local and increase the “multiplier effect” of each dollar spent by leveling the playing ground for small, local businesses and creating a thriving economy.

We must also look at how we can localize our food supply. The fact that we truck most of our food from thousands of miles away while living in one of the most fertile places in America is simply stupid. As mayor I would look towards creating a truly localized food system modeled on that of Cuba through partnerships with local farmers and creation of a huge network of community gardens.

I would like to look at where we can create public gardens where today there are roads. As Mayor, I would start by limiting down 1/5th of city streets to public transit, pedestrians, and bikes while turning much of that space into community gardens and parks.

By applying principles of permaculture design we can look at creating a thriving living system bolstered by a truly local, living economy. We can maximize the green space in the city, but use it not just for lawns but for growing organic food. I believe that most public space is simply utterly wasted today by being paved — we need to gradually undo the pavement and allow the seeds to sprout.

What makes my candidacy different is that I have actual hands-on experience successfully combining profit-making and sustainability. The two are not at all mutually exclusive, and we simply need to apply basic principles of permaculture towards building a truly green, sustainable city with a thriving, living economy. My website at www.slav4pdx.com outlines all of these ideas.

At the end of the day, let us make no mistake — we are facing a massive crisis; yet the Chinese symbol for crisis is the same as that for opportunity, and we have an incredible opportunity to build a better, more tolerable, just and sustainable world. The choice before us couldn’t be any clearer.

Best regards,

Vladislav

Jeff Taylor
Position sought: Mayor
Website: portland123.com
Public financing status: Participated, has not submitted any contributions

Dear Jonathan,

When I ran for Mayor in 2004, I was frustrated at the lack of concrete ideas given by the so-called top two candidates. Well, one of them won, and not only has there been little ideas but also like you said little action.

Here are the actions I proposed in 2004 that are as practical now if not more.

1. I visit all the major corporations to see if their employees could drive to Portland at not the peak rush hours but stagger their work hours.

2. Try to get companies to offer flex time and incentives for working at home but still getting as much or more work done as employees don't have to sit in traffic.

3. Stimulate small business especially green small business and make Portland a desireable city for small business to come here. I would set up a small business action team in City Hall to bring in and help existing small business especially ones that are focusing on green projects.

4.. Use the Willamette and Columbia Rivers like we did here in Portland 150 years ago for transport. I would advocate with the business community to have ferries and water taxis that would transport people to work and also be an entertainment vehicle in the evenings and weekends for a permanent source for funding of schools, public servants like police, fire, and the like.

Hope you see these as actions not just political vague talking. Thank you for your questions in your interest in our fair city.

HAD ENUFF?! VOTE JEFF!!

Jeff Taylor
Candidate for Portland Mayor

Craig Gier
Position sought: Mayor
Website: myspace.com/craiggierformayor
Public financing status: Not participating

I'm running for mayor, but if I were a commissioner I would decide in the best interest of the city and enviroment. It would be my promise to do what ever it took to make this a better place.

Jim Lee
Position sought: Mayor
Website: blogmayor.com
Public financing status: Not participating

Might seem a little smug on this one.

I own two bicycles (both yellow), one bus pass (color varies), and no car (transparent, like Wonder Woman’s airplane).

I live in Woodstock-Mount Scott neighborhood, which is flat for a mile in all directions and so is easy biking for coffee, library, groceries and nearly everything else. House is a 900 square foot 1950s bungalow with not so bad weatherization, gas furnace and gas water heater.

Do I have the lowest carbon footprint of any candidate for Mayor?

Almost certainly!

Sam drives a GMC pickup!

OK, I do belong to Flex/Zipcar, which is the paradigm of personal motorized transportation. We need to work with Flex/Zip to expand its locations--only recently did one show up in Woodstock. But our future must be completely beyond fossil fuels
for personal transportation, at least in urban/suburban locations.

In a decade we should see the Flex/Zip model morph into electric-only cars, which are recharged at their staging locations, usually overnight, when other demands are low. This model has been thoroughly studied and has tremendous potential.

So we must plan for this, which I shall do as Mayor. Please read my blog entry (blogmayor.com) on acquiring control of PGE, which will be essential to implementing our urban electric transportation for the future.

Here I must praise Ray Polanyi, who foresaw an all-electric system of transportation for Portland forty years ago. If anyone is responsible for our progress in public and private transport, it’s Ray!

By the way, the fewer cars we drive and the less oil we use the more money stays at home, where it can be applied to really useful things, like efficient housing. This is because we neither make cars nor produce oil locally. Check this link for our “green dividend” calculation. Also--fixies rule--especially if they are yellow!

Sam Adams
Position sought: Mayor
Website: samforpdx.com
Public financing status: Not participating, capping contributions

The recommendation by the Peak Oil Task Force, which was comprised of a broad base of community representatives, has instigated real action in reducing our dependence on oil. They, like me, believe the need to reduce energy consumption does not necessarily require reduced growth. Instead it requires strong leadership to guide us towards truly transformative growth.

We have begun to create viable, everyday alternatives to personal auto dependency. Consider, for instance, the bicycle. Congressman Earl Blumenauer rightly calls the bicycle the most sustainable and efficient urban travel tool ever created. As a city, we have steadily invested in bike lanes and other tools over the last 20 years. As a result, ridership has continued to grow and has exploded in recent years.

Events like last weekend’s North American Handmade Bicycle Show, where the fire marshal temporarily denied entrance due to overflow crowds (7000 in attendance total), demonstrate how our local bicycle industry is flourishing in ways that reduce our collective carbon footprint. (Congratulations to Portland’s own Ahearne Cycles for their ‘Best in Show’ commuter bike.)

Local apparel companies like Nau are choosing to headquarter in Portland to create pioneering business models. Nau has become a national leader through innovation in shipping, offsetting, fabrics, packaging, multifunctional products, reduced inventory and incentives for their employees to use alternative transportation. Their growth model depends on reducing their carbon footprint.

In both cases, the City of Portland used its resources to assist these efforts. There are many, many similar examples where the City and its business community are partnering to prepare Portland for a post-Peak Oil economy. I am extremely confident in the values and ingenuity Portlanders bring to these challenges. As mayor I will lead the city towards greater investment in these strategies. This is our future.

Kyle Burris
Position sought: Mayor
Website: site not up yet
Public financing status: Not participating

Yeah, I'm in a mood today. Here's my response.

I'll be honest; I'm getting a little tired of these Blogtown posts. We've got about 20 different people, running for four different. And somehow, then all manage to come here each week, and say the exact same thing.

It's become an endless sea of safe, almost liberal complainings, and vague, rehashed planings all designed to try to keep this fundamentally fucked up system of ours from crashing to the ground, and killing everyone who would never think of getting out of the way.

I can't tell where one post ends, and the next begins. I have no idea who any of these candidates really are. What are their politics or their priorities? I don't know what differentiates any of them from their opponents, and I'm not sure they do, either.

So, what, you want to talk about Peak Oil now? Well, as every one else has already covered, ad nauseum, we need to start turning our buildings into cute little power plants. We need to grab one of these over educated yuppies that seem to be flooding the city, and pay them to draw us a logo of a happy little office building. We'll stick it on a letter-head, put some kind of catchy title under it and send it out to all the press. This will do wonders to curb our usage of greenhouse gases.

As you know, the Portland Peak Oil Task Force has released a report calling for us to "Reduce total oil and natural gas consumption by 50 percent over the next 25 years". This is a good start, but it doesn't go far enough. As mayor, I promise that I will build more task forces. These task forces will release more reports. And I promise you, people of Portland, these reports will call for new and better things!

I promise a report calling for the reduction in crime. I promise a report calling for reduced housing prices. I promise a report calling for more alcohol consumption. And I promise a report calling for everyone to get laid!

Together, Portland, we can make these reports. We can make the change!

Sho Dozono
Position sought: Mayor
Website: shoformayor.com
Public financing status: Received initial certification for public financing today

Reducing energy consumption and controlling growth to ensure a sustainable future for Portland will be top priorities for me as Mayor. And I would argue that not all businesses are the remorseless status quo mongers you suggest when it comes to the environment and sustainability issues.

For almost thirty years, I have led a small business with great concern and respect for environmental issues. In 1996, Azumano Travel transitioned to paperless ticketing, and in doing so, we significantly reduced our dependence on paper. Twelve of our branches now meet the requirements of the City of Portland, Office of Sustainability, RecycleWorks Program. We are currently under consideration for their annual RecycleWorks Award. Azumano Travel has 9 Green Tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, which is equivalent of 9,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, representing an offset of approximately 12,600 pounds of carbon dioxide. We are currently undergoing a comprehensive plan to eliminate fluorescent lights and move to power reducing bulbs. At Azumano we did all of this because it's the right thing to do. And Portland is full of other examples just like us. As Mayor I will make sustainable businesses the "business community" that is held out as an example to others. I will invite and encourage and reward businesses who strive to go beyond the status quo and help lead us all to a sustainable future.

I agree with the City of Portland¹s Peak Oil Task Force recommendations of supporting land use patterns that reduce transportation needs, promote walkability, as we simultaneously bolster our mass transit system. The Task Force correctly notes that it will be much less expensive to pursue these strategies now than in a decade or two, when materials and transportation costs are likely to be higher. Finally, all of Portland¹s efforts to reduce energy consumption will be not be enough to help the region without state and federal legislators pursuing viable, progressive energy policies, such as investments in alternative energy sources.

We must recognize that although Portland¹s borders will not change, the city's population will grow in the next decade and beyond and so will the demand for energy. As Mayor I will make energy conservation and reduction in consumption a high priority, educating the public and lobbying state and federal legislators to pursue policies that preserve and protect our environment. Reducing our individual and collective carbon footprints cannot be done overnight by declaration or by desire. As Mayor, I will serve as a tireless advocate for reducing our energy consumption as we rebuild Portland into the successful sustainable envy of the Pacific Northwest.

Sho

Beryl McNair
Position sought: Mayor
Website: none
Public financing status: Participated, did not submit any contributions

Did not respond by deadline.

This just in from the Sho Dozono campaign:

Dozono notified the Secretary of State’s Elections Division today that his campaign would amend state campaign finance reports to account for the receipt of polling information, prior to his becoming a candidate in the Portland public campaign financing system.

[Campaign Manager Amie] Abbott said, “After several discussions with both the City Auditor and the State Elections Division, Sho determined that the most transparent action was to report the poll as a contribution to the campaign committee. Sho also decided to pay for the poll himself, even though he received this poll information prior to the time he had decided to qualify as a publicly financed candidate. He felt that was the best way to ensure the campaign remains as free of politics as possible. Our campaign experienced some confusion because of the different interpretations between the state and city laws, but hopefully this has opened up a valuable discussion for other political novices considering entering public service.”

The Dozono campaign also reports that the city counted “3,763 valid qualifying contributions” toward public financing, and in the letter outlining Dozono’s initial certification, elections officer Andrew Carlstrom reiterated the auditor’s interpretation of whether or not the poll should count against the $12,000 in-kind contribution cap.

“Since there was no overt, objective action establishing that your name was or was expected to be on the official ballot as a candidate defined in City Code Section 2.10.010 D on the date you received the poll results, your receipt of an in-kind contribution (poll results) prior to your becoming a candidate has not counted against the $12,000 contribution limit…”

“Portland began financing campaigns for City offices in order to open elections to individuals who otherwise would not run. It was not intended to create unreasonable hurdles for those individuals who never ran for office before and want to carefully consider the possibilities and difficulties of becoming a candidate. Individuals should have the opportunity to explore the possibility of becoming a candidate before being
considered in the public campaign financing system.”

I wonder if this will put the issue behind Dozono. I still disagree with the auditor’s interpretation that the poll doesn’t violate the in-kind cap (my read is that the cap is a cap, period, regardless of when you joined the public financing program), and Dozono’s paying for the poll himself reads to me like an attempt to remove the in-kind question all together.

Except that Dozono recorded it as an in-kind, from himself to his campaign, to the tune of $27,295.00. But barring a complaint that forces some sort of a hearing at the city level, it’s looking like the in-kind cap question is closed.

There are two new issues, though, thanks to this turn of events. One, Dozono recorded the poll in-kind as December 21—or 19 days before the campaign committee was registered on January 9. State election law says committees have to be formed within three days of accepting a contribution, though. State law also says contributions have to be recorded within 30 days of receipt—which puts this amended report at 27 days late. Dozono could be fined for either or both issues, though reporting fines aren’t all that unusual for political campaigns.

Kudos to The Recent Future for digging up the novelization of my favorite camp flick of all time, Road House, starring Patrick Mother-effing Swayze. What’s so amazing about this particular book-inspired-by-the-movie, is that it’s nearly a shot-by-shot recreation of the actual film, peppered with unintentional hilarity (just like the movie). Check out this hilarious sample which perfectly describes the scene where Wade (Sam Elliott) arrives at the Double Deuce just in time to save Dalton (Swayze) from getting the shit kicked out of him.

Wade and Dalton been in tougher spots than this, that’s for sure. “How’s it going, Mijo?” he asks.

“Mind your own business, Dad,” Morgan says to Wade with a smirk. He’s obviously not familiar with the ancient Chinese saying “An Aging Tiger is Still a Tiger.” And this tiger’s about to roar.

Morgan returns to assaulting Dalton as the Big Guy approaches Wade. Wade is giving up a foot and 20 years, but he doesn’t look scared. Wade probably should have been a factory recall, because he was built without a sense of fear.

“Do you wanna fight, dickIess?” the Big Guy asks.

Wade, always quick with a clever comeback, says, “I sure ain’t gonna show you my dick.” Before the Big Guy can recover from the verbal blow, Wade hits him with a real one, punching him in the crotch. Wade then kicks the outside of his right knee, which sends the man to the ground with a sickening snap. No matter the size, if you take out a man’s knees, he’ll crumble.

“Oh, shit!” he screams out as he clutches at his leg and roles around on the ground. Wade looks down with a smile, brushes back his hair and says, “Goddamn, that hurts, don’t it?”

Somebody please! Where can I find this wonderful book??

This lecture at Reed tonight is kind of a big deal. Performance/visual artist Nick Cave is best known for his “sound suits,” like the one pictured above:

Nick Cave created his first Sound Suit in 1991 as a response to the
beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles the same year. Cave was both
horrified and fascinated by the event, specifically by the LAPD’s
descriptions of King, which characterized him as an unpredictable,
threatening beast. Cave’s first Sound Suit consisted of a huge swarm
of twigs; it surrounded his body like a talismanic buffer, rustling as
he moved. Cave has since made hundreds of performative
sculptures—floating worlds exploring cultural politics, identity,
masquerade, and spiritual presence. For Cave, the Sound Suits
reference the past as much as the present, embodying African American
history and his personal experiences as a black male. Cave inserts his
artistic investigations into public spaces, creating happenings in
which groups of people wearing Sound Suits mysteriously appear and
interrupt daily life. —Stephanie Snyder

Nick Cave
Friday, February 15, 6:30 p.m.
Vollum Lecture Hall, Reed College
Followed by a reception at with the artist the Cooley Gallery from
8:00-10:00 p.m

The Drive-By Truckers are on autopilot. Or, I guess, cruise control. Regardless, every year, you know what to expect from the Athens band: Kickass live shows, new record not quite as good as their older ones, and more kickass live shows. While DBT aren’t resting in their Wranglers, ever since the departure of Jason Isbell last year, the band seems a little off. At least they seem that way on their latest, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, but onstage the band is untouchable, one of the best guitar-based acts around.

While it’s not a new song, I’ve been obsessed with “Lookout Mountain” (from ‘04’s The Dirty South) for such a long time, I feel that it should be posted.

The protagonist of the song is about to hurl himself off Lookout Mountain—it’s a real place—but before he crosses over to the other side, he is racked with confusion, guilt, and a whole lot of questions.

Who will end up with my records?
Who will end up with my tapes?
Who will pay my credit card bills?
Who’s gonna pay for my mistakes?

All good points, but the song’s most enduring line come later:

If I throw myself off Lookout Mountain who will ever hear my songs?

I don’t know why that single line effects me the way it does, but every time I hear it, I can’t help but think about someone on the cusp of death, wondering if their art will ever be noticed, or even heard, when they are gone.

MP3:
Drive-By Truckers - Lookout Mountain

End Hits: And you thought our favorite suicide song was Third Eye Blind’s “Jumper.”

In a recent study asking who the Worst Person Who Ever Lived was (I swear, I read it somewhere), film snobs rated Michael Bay second only to Joseph Goebbels. I’ve never been able to summon much Bay-tred myself, mostly because I’ll readily admit to enjoying Bad Boys and The Rock and Transformers, and also because it just seems ridiculous to hate on the dude when he’s clearly just making fun, disposable blockbusters. Fuck, I’ll loudly bitch with the rest of them about action flicks that are genuinely offensive, but how the fuck anyone can get mad at a dude whose movie stars this thing is beyond me.

ANYWAY. Bay’s starring in a new Verizon ad, and even film snobs think it’s pretty great, and as FilmDrunk notes, “If only his movies had more of this sense of self awareness they’d be much more, well, awesome.” Agreed. Now if you’ll excuse me, I believe Bay is making some ridiculous statements about Transformers 2.

Don’t get me wrong: I love the Japanese. However, it’s a scientific fact that certain cultures just should not be allowed to have pizza. THEY SIMPLY DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. For proof, please watch this commercial, and then help us stop the Japanese—before they try to eat pizza again.

Check out our video of Wednesday’s English Dept. bridal show!

For local fashion over on M.O.D.

Matt Slessler, your favorite local gafly and host of the Mercury’s very own pop culture podcast show Pure Pod for Now People, has put together The Mother of All Music Trivia Contests, which is happening tonight at the Low Brow Lounge. Says Slessler:

This is the 3rd installment! If you haven’t been to one of my music trivia contests yet, it is very casual. You walk in, I give you the quiz, and you sit around either by yourself or with a group and try to answer some of the most ridiculous minutiae about music, while having a drink and eating mini corn dogs and tater tots.

There are tons of prizes and we reward those for creative answers, even if it involves my mom or cats.

The Mother of All Music Trivia Contests, Low Brow Lounge, 1036 NW Hoyt St, 6pm - 8pm, TONIGHT.

In a battle that easily eclipsed the drama of the petty “Obama vs. Hillary” squabble, the Mercury Valentine Cookie Poll has finally come to an end—and what an exciting matchup it was! As you clearly remember from yesterday, the Mercury staff was charged with decorating the best valentine cookie. The top five were then selected and presented to the public for a vote to decide who was the best cookie decorator. (Click here to see the finalists’ cookies!)

As in all elections, alliances were formed, dirty tricks were dealt, and tears were shed. Early in the afternoon, the polls indicated an early lead for Alison Hallet’s “My Cat (or why Alison remains single)” and Wm. Steven Humphrey’s “I Like Three-Somes.” However, at around 5 pm, the pug contingent showed up at the polls, heavily supporting Monet Molina’s “Pug Love” cookie. Fringe voters weren’t enough to save Tonya Hise’s “Rob Thompson (A view from behind)”—which she blamed on the voters’ inability to see the butt crack in the photograph. (Take it up with the Secretary of State, Tonya.)

HOWEVER! Everything changed at the seven o’clock hour when Marjorie Skinner’s “Ejaculating Vagina” cookie surged ahead in the polls (buoyed undoubtedly by the drunkards and deviants who always seem to arrive late at the voting booth) and engaging Monet’s “Pug Life” in a night-long battle of give and take.

At 7:30 pm, Wm. Steven Humphrey conceded his campaign, asking voters to switch their support to Marjorie’s “Ejaculating Vagina.” However, it wasn’t enough, as Marjorie’s “Ejaculating Vagina” dried up in the early morning hours after a rough night-long workout, and Alison’s “Cat” scratched her way back to the top! But when push came to shove, could a cat beat out a pug in America’s eyes? LET’S SEE THE FINAL RESULTS!

So with all precincts reporting, and after 311 votes were cast, congratulations to MONET MOLINA’S “PUG LOVE” cookie for winning the Mercury’s “Design a Valentine Cookie” Competition!

You may now begin to whine and moan in the comments below about how Marjorie’s “Vagina” and Alison’s “Cat” were robbed, and the entire poll was rigged. OR EVEN BETTER? Play “pundit” and try to explain why Blogtownies voted for one cookie over another!

Anyone who has read the Oregonian’s hack Sports columnist John Canzano knows that the guy is unintentionally hilarious, a shrill localized version of the schmaltz of Mitch Albom plus the panicked sensationalism of Stephen A. Smith.

But Conzano’s column this morning is one of his finest works, and by “finest works,” I mean a shameless ride upon his majestic moral high horse in which he pointlessly demands the retirement of injured Blazer Darius Miles. While he touches on a few of the reasons Miles has fallen from grace, his primary rational is that Miles hangs out at the Dolphin II, and enjoys the “NBA lifestyle.”

How dare an NBA player enjoy the lifestyle that comes with the job. I’m sure Canzano’s enjoyment of the “sports journalist” lifestyle is totally innocent and pure.

Now, arguing in favor of Darius Miles is like convincing your mother not to get back together with your father, and instead stay with her new drunken boyfriend who drives a forklift and loves NASCAR.

No one likes Miles.

His mom probably likes Brandon Roy more. But he isn’t running for office, and he hasn’t done a goddamn thing wrong in the past few years. If you demand an injured Miles hang up the sneakers for not helping the current team, or living up to his potential, you might as well ask Greg Oden to retire as well. What has he done?

Instead Canzano rants about Miles’s alleged behavior in a strip club with the same tired moral superiority that is usually reserved for those clowns who stand outside the unbuilt Planned Parenthood on MLK with large photos of aborted fetuses. Strip clubs are not illegal. Young men—yes, even professional athletes—attending such clubs, and having a good time, is not something you should even mention in your column. It’s none of your fucking business. Act like a grownup and let Miles’ actions on the court decide his future, and please do not assume that your quasi-racist, puritan values, resonate with all Blazers fans.

As far as I am concerned Canzano, much like Miles, is fair celebrity game. So if anyone spots his shimmering bald dome doing anything morally reprehensible, let us know. We will then report it with the same condemning nature he usually reserves for Miles.

Also, if you want to read some of Canzano’s most appalling work, please check out his awkward attempt at a tear-jerker about a homeless man, and his “hip” take on urban rap music.

1.OFF HIS MEDS!! The campus shooter in Illinois, I mean. Of course, they don’t know what “meds” he was taking. But let’s go ahead and take this opportunity to stigmatize mental illness, regardless.
NUTTER: DEADLY…LIKE ALL NUTTERS…JUST ASK HITLER…

2.RECOVERING THE SATELLITES!! No longer content to remain the title of a so-so Counting Crows album, the US government has decided to recover a dangerous satellite of its own before it crashes to earth, by shooting it down. Tell me that’s not going to be a bundle of fun for the person pulling the trigger.

3.NEWSROOM CUTS!! 100 to go at the New York Times. Still, who gives a fuck about the news, anyway.

4.THIRD WORLD COUNTRY!! As in, the US is, according to New York’s billionaire mayor, who also says giving people checks to try to stimulate the economy is “like giving drink to an alcoholic.”

5.CHECK-MATE!! One of Hilary Clinton’s most prominent black supporters switches allegiance to Obama. This comes as a shock, since I seem to remember having a conversation about three months ago with Amy Ruiz, where she was raving about John Edwards’ chances. I seem to remember being mature about the whole thing, saying “I don’t care what you say because Obama is going to win and I’m not listening.” Still, there’s nothing like the sweet taste of being right, AND being a complete asshole about it.

Good day.

This week on Easier Than Reading—your weekly music podcast that’s sort of like reading the music section of the Mercury… only easier—join your host Andrew R. Tonry as he serenades you with his harmonica skillz and fills you in on what shows you need to check out this week. Plus hear tunes from bands including Foreign Born, Six Organs of Admittance (pictured above), Basia Bulat, St. Vincent, and MORE! Listen here.

Annnnnd, here’s the race for Sam Adams’ seat. You know the drill.

Last year the city adopted recommendations made by the Portland Peak Oil Task Force but little action has been taken. If one of the major solutions to global warming and peak oil is to reduce energy consumption and with it, reduce growth, how would you as a city commissioner approach this goal knowing that the business community prefers an unsustainable status quo?

-Jonathan Brandt
SE Portland

Chris Smith
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: citizensmith.us
Public financing status: Awaiting certification

The question includes an incorrect premise – the report does not call for a reduction in growth. What it does call for is reducing consumption of certain fossil fuels by 50%. From the executive summary:

1. Reduce total oil and natural gas consumption by 50 percent over the next 25 years.

Interestingly it does not include coal (which has not peaked, but contributes significantly to global warming). As Commissioner I would work to reduce all non-renewable energy sources. In fact, I would set an ambitious goal to convert Portland and the rest of our region to 100% renewable, carbon-neutral energy in 15-20 years.

To achieve this we need to frame this not as a question of sacrifices or limits, but of investment. Just as we invested after WWII in a system of national highways that propelled our economy (and unfortunately some very unsustainable land use patterns) and as we invested in the ‘60s to put a man on the moon, propelling innovative technologies, we need a major program of investment in renewable energy (solar, wind and local biofuels) and investment in a pattern of development that supports reduction in energy use.

While some of this depends on national policy, there is a lot that we can drive right here. More than a third of our carbon footprint is from transportation and another third is from buildings. Cities have significant control over both. Portland is already a leader in smart growth, alternative transportation and sustainable construction. We need to take all of these to the next level. In doing so, we can build a green industry cluster in our region that will fuel our local economy as we sell that knowledge, technology and service to the rest of nation and world.

Growth will actually be part of the solution. As we gain 300,000 new neighbors in Portland over the next 20-25 years, we’ll keep redeveloping the City to accommodate them by adding more housing and jobs along transit corridors, building additional transit capacity and making all of our City more friendly to walking and biking. The result is that things will be a lot closer together! Even if you live in a single-family neighborhood adjacent to a transit corridor, there will be lots of goods and service available to you – in walking or biking distance – on that more populated transit corridor. We won’t need to drive as far or as often as we do now, and even for longer trips we’ll have more alternatives to driving alone. We’ve already seen it – in this region each of us drives fewer miles than we did ten years ago.

And the business community will find more than ample opportunities in this investment program. There may be grumbling, but smart business people recognize when the status quo no longer provides opportunity for them and look for new opportunities. And they’ll produce green jobs in the process.

As a transportation and neighborhood activist, I’ve been working on these issues for more than 10 years, not just because they head off big future problems, but also because they contribute to livability now. As Commissioner I’ll keep moving this agenda – farther and faster.

Amanda Fritz
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: amandafritzforcitycouncil.com
Public financing status: Certified as a publicly financed candidate

To combat global warming, energy consumption, and every other challenge Portland faces, the first step is for each one of us to take ownership of the problem and responsibility for our own part of the solution. City Commissioners, business owners and workers, and individuals all must play significant roles. No one sector - government, business, or residents - is solely at fault, nor alone capable of correcting centuries of pollution, degradation, and waste. I will work with my colleagues on the City Council, staff, businesses, and every Portlander to implement immediate practical solutions to this urgent problem. The excellent Peak Oil Task Force Report adopted last year lays out the goals and strategies needed. I posted specific Action Agenda proposals to meet those goals, on my campaign blog several weeks ago. Actions for addressing oil dependency I will start by prioritizing funding for services that are basic to the City's core mission of providing amenities for citizens in every neighborhood, including:

* Sidewalks to schools so parents don't have to drive
* Safe bicycle routes and facilities
* Excellent bus service within walking distance of every home, working with Tri-Met to expand transit service and hours and decrease fares to increase ridership
* Affordable housing close to jobs so people are commuting shorter distances

Providing these services will help everyone reduce energy consumption. As each Portlander does his/her part, political pressure will mount to address major pollution sites where emissions far surpass domestic output. We should consider Cap and Trade systems, which are agreements between government entities that give polluters credit for reducing emissions then allow them to trade the credits to polluters failing to meet the Cap. A successful Cap and Trade scheme adopted on the East coast in 1990 reduced sulfur dioxide emissions by 80%. The Western Climate Initiative in which Oregon participates is setting up a similar system to control carbon.

I will work with business owners and citizens to raise standards reducing pollution and energy use. Better regulations, more incentives, and improved enforcement are needed. Good jobs with living wages are important, and they don't have to be at the expense of the environment and the health of our planet.

Actions needed to address Peak Oil and global warming range from personal lifestyle tweaks and funding of basic public services to wonky policy and Big Picture changes. Using the words of Randy White, Peak Oil advisor (see endorsement on my blog), I will provide the voice of leadership that empowers and encourages all our citizens to take part in making Portland sustainable, based on cooperation and smarter policies.

Jeff Bissonnette
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: portlandersforjeff.com
Public financing status: Awaiting certification

Reduction of energy usage and increasing efficiency of usage has been a long-time goal of the City of Portland, even before the Peak Oil Task Force. The task force's work simply underscored the importance of reducing energy use and increasing energy efficiency. First, let me outline what my top priorities as commissioner in this area would be:

1) Sponsor a resolution to refer a measure to the ballot removing the prohibition in the city charter of mandatory weatherization programs for buildings built before 1979 without a public vote.

Very few people know that the city charter currently disallows the city from establishing a mandatory weatherization program for buildings built before 1979 without first passing such a program on the ballot. While a proprosed program would likely be approved, the more important question is why such a prohibition exists in the first place. Portlanders need to be asked to remove this obstacle to making our existing building stock more energy efficient, thereby saving millions in energy costs and reducing energy usage.

2) To demonstrate city leadership, establish a requirement that all city owned or controlled buildings must reduce energy usage by at least 30 percent by 2015.

This parallels work I have been doing at the state level to require state agencies to reduce energy usage. Public agencies need to walk the talk and show the way as they work with residents and businesses to help reduce their energy usage. Currently, the discussions at the state level call for a 20 percent reduction in energy usage by 2015. Portland should be able to muster the political will, technical know-how and public support to do more.

3) Create incentives for the design and construction of "net-zero" buildings and put Portland on a path to issue building permits only for net-zero buildings by 2020.

"Net-zero" buildings are those that generate as much energy as they consume and operate on a carbon neutral basis. Design, building and operation of net-zero buildings is an exciting development in the clean energy world. Since buildings account for 40 percent of energy consumption nationally, by having buildings not only reduce their energy usage but also act as their own power plants, we can address both peak oil and global warming much more effectively. Similar efforts are already well underway in cities like Boulder, CO and Austin, TX and Portland needs to establish a leadership role in this sector.

4) Establish a "Green Jobs Corps."

This initiative would mirror one being undertaken in Oakland, CA to create a job-training pipeline connecting workforce development initiatives with emerging clean energy job opportunities. It would require a a collaboration among community-based organizations, unions, the City of Portland and private companies to provide Portlanders with job training, support, and work experience so that they can independently pursue careers in the new energy economy. The workforce is not in place to meet the rising demand in the clean energy and green economy sectors. By investing in its workforce, Portland can establish itself as the hub of these sectors and provide an economic foundation that can anchor our local economy for the next decade or two.

Second, I would like to challenge the blanket statement that "the business community prefers an unsustainable status quo." Although my recent experience in the state legislature with big polluters resisting a legislative proposal to simply collect information on carbon emissions would suggest such a statement to be true, my discussions with many businesses on the local level demonstrate that it is not. Businesses recognize that we are operating in a rapidly changing environment and that their customers and clients are increasingly aware of the need to operate in a more sustainable manner. Indeed, simple bottom-line financial analysis by many small business owners is highlighting the need to explore new ways of doing business. In just the past month, I have heard proposals from business owners that parallel many issues raised by the Peak Oil Task Force:

• increasing delivery service to customers to reduce the amount of the fee that will be required by the new Safe, Sound and Green Streets proposal for customer trips to a business;
• exploring zoning changes so that housing, shopping and workplaces are closer to one another;
• establishing a "village" approach to development to highlight specific amenities in various parts of the city but ensuring that those amenities can be accessed by multiple modes of transportation, not necessarily depending on cars alone;
• finding more efficient delivery methods of freight and goods to stores;
identifying improved local markets for goods and services;
• and the list goes on.

Many in the business community want to be part of the discussion on how we can respond to peak oil and global warming so that they can continue to make a living while making a difference and be responsive to their customers' wishes. Advocates for addressing peak oil and global warming who ignore that willingness by the business community do so at their own peril.

John Branam
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: john4pdx.org
Public financing status: Awaiting certification

There is absolutely no doubt that the dangers related to climate change, as outlined in the Peak Oil Task Force Report, are real. Portland's, and America's, reliance on fossil fuels (particularly foreign oil) not only adversely affects our natural environment, it has the legitimate possibility of destabilizing our regional economy as well as our national security. Dependence on that which we cannot produce locally is growing increasingly problematic.

For these reasons and for their efforts I applaud the recommendations made by the Peak Oil Task Force and I strongly urge their implementation. Cities must be the focal point for fighting global warming, and we cannot afford to wait while senior governments delay action. The good news for Portland is that we have led the way among American cities, and our experience thus far helps us see the opportunities we have by taking responsibility for action.

Our response to peak oil and to global warming should be the same: use less energy and use better sources. For buildings, our challenge is making investments in advanced energy efficiency, clean energy technologies, and clean, district-scale infrastructure. Each of these efforts alone is an investment, which would produce a financial return. Progress has been slow, in part because building owners have not shown a willingness to make these investments.

The City can play a leadership role in order to make these investments attractive to the right investors through policy direction and by creating a more attractive scale for investment. If we know we need to make these investments across the city over the next 20 years, we can create the framework today and chart our own future. This role is something only cities have the ability to do, and the good news is that doing so will bring substantial investments in exactly the kinds of activities that we want. Further, this proactive approach will be much more effective for us than waiting for mandates to be handed down from federal and state government.

Portland has been a leading city in the U.S. when it comes to addressing the challenges surrounding our transportation systems. We have been working with other levels of government to reduce dependence on the car, and we have only begun this effort. In addition, we can accelerate the pace by which vehicles convert to clean energy technologies by fostering better integration of vehicles into our energy infrastructure. For example, hybrid vehicles already are shifting to electricity (see pluginpartners.org). If we know that vehicles, especially those that could serve our neighborhoods, are going to plug into our buildings and power grid, what if we created a program to make this happen faster? Again, these investments are going to have to be made, so we could benefit by understanding this and making our city the most attractive place in the country for these investments.

The direction I see Portland taking is to turn this challenge into an economic development strategy for the next 20 years. We import virtually all of our energy, which means we get almost no economic benefit beyond what consuming energy allows us to do. If we capture the economic benefits of advanced efficiency and energy producing technologies, our economy will grow and we will create new jobs. The influx of solar and wind companies into Portland and Oregon is evidence of what the future could hold for us.

Already, many of our Portland businesses are rapidly growing as a result of programs and policies that have focused around sustainability. In fact, many of these emerging companies have begun to organize around the issue, such as those that participate in PDXLounge. Businesses around the world know that Portland is a place for leadership. I would encourage these efforts by providing the leadership and needed capacity.

Instead of fearing the changes that we know are coming, we should embrace these directions and recognize that using less energy and better forms of energy can be good for us. But we have to be strategic and leadership must come from Portland's elected leaders.

Portland has the opportunity to define its own future. Currently, the City's Office of Sustainable Development is preparing two new sets of policies. Commissioner Saltzman has already proposed a new Green Building Policy that will focus on the reduction of carbon pollution created by the construction and operation of buildings. Later this year we will see proposals for an updated, more aggressive Global Warming Action Plan. Combined, these two initiatives could become a blueprint for how cities can transform their built environment.

It is pivotal for Portland to continue to lead the nation in our response to global warming for the natural environment we all cherish and our economic vitality. Future leadership at City Hall must make this a priority, regardless of portfolio assignments. I am committed to doing just that.

Charles Lewis
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: charleslewis.com
Public financing status: Certified as a publicly financed candidate

Actions speak louder than words – especially when coming from would be politicians. In addition to founding and running Ethos Music Center, my wife and I also own a green business called Portland Duck Tours. This emerging small business uses an amphibious bus to give land and water tours of Portland and the surrounding area.

Sarah and I started this green business based on a Triple Bottom Line philosophy that gauges business success based on financial, environmental, and social impact. We could have purchased a much cheaper amphibious bus that ran on conventional gas, but decided to use a vehicle capable of running bio-diesel so that we could minimize the impact of our tours on the environment. The manufacturer’s warranty only covered a bio-diesel blend of 5%, but we wanted to run on 100% bio-diesel, so we intentionally voided our warranty. Our new vessel cost three times as much as the old gas alternative, and we took a considerable financial risk by voiding our warranty so that we could use a more environmentally friendly fuel.

It’s easy for would be politicians to say how they will impact other people’s businesses – it’s another matter to actually run a business while making socially and environmentally sound business decisions. I’m the only candidate in this race who has actually run a small business. When I’m on City Council, I will work with Portland’s business community to help our community reduce its dependence on fossil fuels in some of the same, innovative ways I have while running my own business. Working together, we can establish a more just, equitable, and sustainable community. Find out more about our efforts online at www.CharlesLewis.com

Well, shit. Because the universe hates me and loathes my happiness, I knew my excitement over that badass Indiana Jones teaser would have to be balanced out by some crappy news. Stupid Variety.

Paramount is pushing back the release of J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek from Dec. 25 to May 8, 2009, saying the pic’s gross potential is greater as a summer tentpole.

Heh. Tentpole. Well, anyway, at least I’ve got Turist Ömer Uzay Yolunda to tide me over until 2009.

Goddamn does that “Kaptan Kirk” dude creep me out. Shudder.

Since we here at the Mercury hate to work (especially on national holidays like Valentine’s), today we competed in an office-wide challenge entitled, “WHO CAN DECORATE THE BEST VALENTINE COOKIE?” We were provided with several Betty Crocker icings, sprinkles, gumdrops, and… what do you call those icing pencil things? Those icing pencil things. Then we went to work on a bunch of plain heart-shaped sugar cookies. Upon completion, we lined them all up, and had our new art director Mark Searcy pick the top five. Which he did!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO JUDGE! Which Mercury employee decorated the best Valentine cookie? Is it…

Cast your vote below! Polling ends at 10 am tomorrow (Friday) morning! First place winner will receive a new Cadillac. Second place? A set of steak knives. Third place—THEY’RE FIRED. (And though I know Blogtown readers are generally a shy lot, feel free to leave a more detailed critique of these cookies in the comments below.)

OUR COOKIE POLL IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR VOTING, AND SEE THE RESULTS HERE!

I was out yesterday, so here’s a double header of candidate questions. First up is the race for Erik Sten’s seat, with our reader’s question:

Last year the city adopted recommendations made by the Portland Peak Oil Task Force but little action has been taken. If one of the major solutions to global warming and peak oil is to reduce energy consumption and with it, reduce growth, how would you as a city commissioner approach this goal knowing that the business community prefers an unsustainable status quo?

-Jonathan Brandt
SE Portland

Here’s Nick Fish, followed by Ed Garren, Jim Middaugh, and Harold Williams Two.

Nick Fish
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: nickfish2008.com
Public financing status: Not participating in program

Preparing our city for the implications of Peak Oil is especially daunting in light of the estimate that the Portland Metropolitan area will add approximately 1 million new residents by 2025. The major challenge we face is to add these new citizens while we sustain the livability that Portlanders love and expect. Unlike the past, this new wave of Oregonians cannot rely on a carbon intensive lifestyle. The city’s response to the projected effects of Peak Oil goes hand in hand with its action plan to address Global Warming.

Carbon Dioxide does not respect city boundaries. Every citizen is connected to the air we breathe and the water we drink. This is why I support the recommendations of the Metro 2040 Growth Concept plan. Portland needs to be more than a leader in developing regional solutions. We need to provide concrete examples of carbon reduction that other cities can follow.

Some estimates indicate that approximately 40% of greenhouse gasses are generated by carbon dependent transportation. Several of the recommendations of the Peak Oil Task Force focus directly on our transportation infrastructure. I will be a strong advocate for the greening of our transportation infrastructure by supporting:

• Mixed-use development with pedestrian-friendly “urban centers” throughout the region, especially along existing and proposed MAX and Streetcar lines and at other 2040 regional and town centers. If people live close to convenient and pervasive transit, they will use it.
• Increased integration of green energy generation by providing public education and incentives to encourage choosing alternative energy over carbon based power generation.
• Financial incentives to non-drivers and car sharing. I will propose the Portland expand the use of shared cars by allowing any shared car to park free at all times in metered parking areas.
• The Safe, Sound and Green streets initiative. Beyond badly needed street and transportation infrastructure maintenance, the initiative funds a number of critical initiatives for human powered transportation, especially a network of bike boulevards and increase integration of the bicycle with existing mass transit.

I am also keenly aware of the potential impact of Peak Oil on our citizens. I will advocate for smart density planning. Well designed communities can form the strong fabric of a social safety net when life becomes difficult. This is why I strongly support work of the Coalition for a Livable Future. The coalition is doing groundbreaking work to help policy makers rethink what makes for good neighborhoods by emphasizing Environment, Education and Equity as the core principles drive public policy and neighborhood planning. I will support a land use planning process that requires a sustainability and equity study as part of the existing planning process.

Finally, I will work to demonstrate that green public policy is also good for the bottom line. More businesses are beginning to understand that sustainable practices make good economic sense. Citizens are becoming better informed about sustainability and are demanding that their workplaces become greener. Portland is promoting, incenting and sometimes requiring green building standards. Builders are also discovering that green buildings make good economic sense. I will work to make Portland an international center for green building and industries. This will diversify the city’s job base and make Portland, and our region, the logical first place to apply new practices and technology.

As a Portland City Commissioner, I will support many of the thoughtful recommendations of the Peak Oil Task Force. Portland has made a commitment to reduce our carbon footprint. We must continue to approach policy decisions by asking a simple question: Will our choices result in a reduction of carbon consumption and greenhouse gases?

Ed Garren
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: edforportland.com
Public financing status: Participated, did not qualify

This is an important question, and the future of our planet depends on the answers we can commit to in the next 20 years. We are entering into a period of transition from a petroleum based economy to the next technology. I am pleased to mention that the treasurer of my campaign, Jeff Gerritsen, is a long term member of Portland Peak Oil and has offered comments and innovation with regard to Peak Oil issues in my campaign.

Imagine 1895 for a moment. It was a horse based infrastructure, along with the emergence of electric trolley's and coal fired steam locomotives. If someone had predicted that in 20 or 25 years, you would drive your wagon up to a metal box and pump a liquid into a tank, which would run a motor that would push your wagon without a horse, you would have that person committed for insanity. No one could imagine it. Today, we are staring at that same change point. We only know and see our current technology and cannot really imagine a world without it. The technology is available to make the change, but it is not yet familiar.

It will be necessary to reduce our usage of all carbon based fuels. World petroleum output is diminishing and at the same time more people want petroleum. But neither of these scenarios necessarily mean that growth must be reduced. What it means is that we must find ways to use different sources of energy that are sustainable, including wind and solar, in addition to our existing hydroelectric power.

Portland is very well situated in terms of available hydroelectric power. In addition, there are significant opportunities for wind generation of electricity. I recently attended a Portland Business Alliance breakfast forum and the president of Vestas Wind Energy (http://www.vestas.com/en) spoke about the tremendous wind resources that exist in the Pacific Northwest. He told us that Denmark is now generating 30% of it's electricity from wind power.

The company wanted to build a production facility in Portland, both for domestic production, and to export to Asia. Somehow, current leadership did not put the pieces together to bring the company here, so they are building elsewhere. We missed a great opportunity because someone was not thinking about the future.

The technology is also here to generate solar power. The city could require that all roofs in all new construction have as many solar panels on them as possible. There are also solar shingles, which are put on a roof just like regular shingles. Ways to encourage these sorts of roofs, which will return power to the electrical grid during daylight for other uses, like transportation, must be encouraged, if not mandated.

Also, there is a lot of business to be made building the new sustainable infrastructure that will be needed for the future. And there is every reason why Portland should be a place where that technology is showcased and produced. There are tremendous economic opportunities for growth in sustainable technology, but it takes some vision and some willingness to take risks on innovative ideas, along with a commitment to making the changes in attitude and action that will be necessary to facilitate a transition to a sustainable economy.

We should consider that an economy based upon "growth" is really an economy based on consumption and waste. This is the only model taught in many business schools, and it is an economic system that is doomed to failure. We can re-invent an economy based upon sustainability, and we can foster the growth of sustainable business and industry, but leadership must be flexible and willing to take some innovative risks to transition to new technology.

One specific example is public transportation. With our supply of electricity, and the prospect of wind and solar generation of electricity, we can consider replacing our petroleum consuming bus system with electric busses. The myth of Bio-Diesel is that it cannot replace our petroleum needs and it uses "surplus" food that we once shipped to poor countries. Also an LNG powered bus may be "clean" but it still creates Carbon Dioxide (global warming gas) and it is using a petroleum product that is a finite resource. Even if the electricity to power an electric bus is generated by a fossil fuel generator, the overall carbon emissions are less than with the individual engines used in each bus. If we increase wind and solar production, then the busses and battery autos can be powered from a sustainable energy source.

We can encourage and provide for "Plug In" Hybrid and a return of battery electric vehicles (see the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car") which use significantly less petroleum than regular cars.

The Fuel Cell powered car is a "bait and switch" perpetrated by the petroleum industry. We can reject that experiment and utilize existing technology which is much more advanced than most of us realize.

New manufacturing and office buildings can be built which are "green" in their design and energy use.

We can specifically provide economic de-incentives with regard to carbon consumption (an increased auto/small truck tax based on engine displacement for example).

We can also create incentives to recycle more plastic. Plastic is made from petroleum and right now, tons of plastic "disposable" items end up in landfills. There is no reason why we can't start recycling virtually ALL plastic.

Portland has always been the leader in sustainability and there is no reason why we cannot respond to Peak Oil, Global Warming and get ahead of the curve on both. But it takes dedicated leadership, which will make long term investment in sustainable opportunities, rather than short term solutions which continue to use the obsolete technology of consumption and waste.

By taking a leadership position in new sustainable technology, Portland can have economic sustainability, and continued "growth" based in living in harmony with the planet, instead of exploiting and destroying it.

Ed Garren
www.edforportland.com

Jim Middaugh
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: middaughforportland.com
Public financing status: Filed request for certification last week

I support the recommendations of the Peak Oil Task Force. In fact, I am working now to advance them and I will continue to advance them when I am on the City Council.

Thanks to the leadership of Erik Sten the City of Portland is one of the only major cities in the world that can legitimately claim to have reduced its carbon emissions while hosting a growing population and a growing economy. Commissioner Sten is responsible for leading the City's efforts to address global warming.

Portland’s efforts to concentrate growth, promote renewable energy and conservation and to create alternatives to auto-based transportation are important to our past success. Continuing those policies will be essential but insufficient.

One of the commitments made by the Council when it adopted the Peak Oil Task Force report was to update the City of Portland-Multnomah County Climate Action Plan. As Erik's chief of staff, I've helped the City's Office of Sustainable Development develop the next update to Portland's Climate Action Plan. We've appointed a steering committee of local leaders -- many of them business leaders -- who are working as we speak to develop new recommendations for City and County action. Both the City Council and the County Commission unanimously endorsed the work that I’m helping lead.

One of the first steps I took was to bring City and County staff together in a partnership with experts from Oregon's universities to review Portland's progress to date and to identify the best next steps. The partnership also included transportation and climate experts from Environmental Defense, a leading, national environmental group. I also worked in partnership with Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder to convene Metro’s Transportation Policy Advisory Committee to work with the experts as well.

I’m proud of the partnerships I’ve built with regional officials and the best climate experts in our state. I am committed to building on those partnerships to ensure Portland remains a world leader in addressing peak oil and climate change. Specifically, I will work to improve the City’s performance in three key sectors – energy, transportation and land use.

Energy Use
I will focus on implementing the recommendations of the Peak Oil Task Force, which call for a 50 percent reduction in fossil fuel use by 2030. I will support efforts to provide incentives for development that exceeds local and state energy efficiency standards and to charge fees for those that don’t to pay for the incentives.

All buildings that use City funds should strive to meet the highest LEED standards for energy efficiency. Even affordable housing investments should seek the equivalent of LEED performance levels and the Council should ensure that adequate funds are available to protect affordability. We should not pretend we are saving money by scrimping on efficiency in the name of affordability when the costs of higher energy bills are simply shifted to the tenants who are least able to afford them.

I support the City’s efforts to ensure that 100 percent of municipal energy is generated from renewable sources. I took a half-time leave from my regular city job to help with the City’s effort to purchase PGE and bring it under public ownership. Although the city was unsuccessful, our efforts helped ensure that PGE was not sold to Texas Pacific.

I continue to believe that locally produced energy is the best way to ensure we focus on conservation and renewables. I support continued City involvement in the regulation of local utilities to protect ratepayers and to push for aggressive investments in clean alternative sources of energy.

Transportation
The city should be leading the charge in Salem for an increase in the gas tax to reduce fuel use and to fund transportation alternatives and maintenance projects. The City should continue to partner with local and Oregon farmers to create more biodiesel options and infrastructure.

As a matter of principle, people who drive the most should pay the most, with exceptions for lower-income people who have no other options. Pay-as-you-go insurance, sliding fees based on gas mileage, weight or fuel types should be investigated. The City should implement these policies where possible and support them when the authority to do so lies elsewhere.

I believe the city should investigate the possible use of congestion pricing and congestion fees to improve the efficiency of our transportation system, thereby reducing fuel use and emissions. Revenue generated should be used to support alternative transportation options, efficiency improvements for freight movement and fee waivers for low-income people who are required to drive.

Investing in more bike- and pedestrian-friendly routes and education, safety and enforcement also will be a key part of my focus on the Council. I’ve been a bicycle commuter for years. It’s an integral part of what makes Portland such a great place to live and coincides with many of my personal and policy goals.

It’s time for Portland to take the next step to meet the growing needs of Portland’s cycling community. A thorough bicycle master plan with additional bike lanes, bike boulevards and signaling is essential. Additional safety measures need to be identified and implemented at scores of dangerous intersections throughout town. Most importantly, bikes, walking, and transit all need to be factored into the City’s comprehensive plan and implementation strategies, not only to benefit our environment but also to help solve our transportation challenges and preserve neighborhood livability in the face of a growing population.

Portland’s efforts to be pedestrian friendly also need a boost. Especially in Southwest Portland where many neighborhoods have no sidewalks and growing areas in East Portland, a lack of adequate signaling and increased traffic are resulting in pedestrian and cyclist traffic fatalities — even one is too many. Children walk and bike to school far less than they used to, with safety a primary concern. I believe that walking and biking is an environmental issue and it is a fundamental part of a good quality of life. I will continue the push to make Portland friendlier to cyclists and pedestrians alike while also reducing conflicts between bikes and cars.

Land Use
More than 1 million people are projected to move to Portland in the near future. To keep our city livable I will fight for creative, equitable, effective policies and investments in our transportation system and changes to zoning and development patterns that give people the option to rely less on cars and more on other forms of transportation.

I will fight to ensure the new Portland Plan encourages the development of compact neighborhoods that allow people to make choices that don’t involve the need to drive and that include the potential for district energy programs and substantial use of solar and other renewable energy sources. I support policies that discourage excessive parking and that support the creation of complete communities that allow people to walk to work and to essential services, entertainment and recreation.

The Portland Plan also must ensure that as we grow more dense that adequate amenities like parks, schools, post offices, community centers, grocery stores and other services are incorporated into our plans so are City remains attractive and affordable for families, seniors and young members of the creative class – the backbone of our future economy.

In Closing
Portland has earned a reputation as a sustainable city. Far from being anti-business, sustainability is becoming the centerpiece of our economic development strategy. I will support PDC’s Economic Development Department in its efforts to grow local, sustainable businesses and to recruit new sustainable businesses to our city. I will support efforts to encourage all businesses to become more efficient. If incentives are insufficient I will be open to considering new regulations.

Our efforts to address Peak Oil and global warming will make us more livable and more competitive now and in the future. Our success to date has been based on actions that were smart to do for reasons other than climate change or peak oil – cost savings, livability, etc. It’s time to move beyond the actions that made sense for other reasons but also reduced emissions to actions that are aimed solely at addressing the twin threats of peak oil and climate change.

I am committed to leading the charge for those actions.

Harold C. Williams Two
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: none
Public financing status: Not participating in program

I would continue to help promote bike riding, public transportation, carpooling, walking, energy saving light bulbs, and exploring alternative fuel sources.

Tamara DeRidder
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: home.earthlink.net/~tdr4pdx
Public financing status: Participating, no contributions reported yet

Did not respond by deadline

Nick Popenuk
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: popenukisportland.com
Public financing status: Participating, 15 contributions as of 1/22

Did not respond by deadline

CoHo Productions, Fall Guy Theatre, Profile Theatre, and the Bluestockings all have either Valentine’s Day specials tonight, or do sliding-scale/cheap tickets on Thursdays anyway. I have seen none of these shows, but if pressed I’d say that Tales of Ordinary Madness at the CoHo would be my first pick. On paper, Fall Guy’s Big Rock Show sounds sort of… awful, but based on the strength of their recent production of The House Yes, I’m inclined to give that one a chance as well. (Plus, admission gets you drink discounts at the Aalto before the show. I like that.) As for the others: Our critic did not much care for Profile’s A Few Stout Individuals; and I know next to nothing about the Bluestockings show Dead of Winter save that it’s a couple of short ghost stories, it sounds pretty decent, and Followspot liked it. I’ll post all the show details after the jump.

Tales of Ordinary Madness, Coho Productions

Don't have a clue what to do for Valentines Day? Have you waited
until the last minute to get that special someone a gift or night out
on the town? Why not bring her/him to the show that the Oregonian
calls "a gem of audacious absurdism" Tales of Ordinary Madness at The
CoHo Theater. In fact bring her/him to the show this Thursday,
Valentines Day only and get in for $15.00 per ticket. That is $8.00
off the regular ticket price. Call CoHo Productions and give the
pass-phrase:
"I am all about Eve" and receive tickets for Thursday, February 14
showing of Tales of Ordinary Madness for only $15.00 per ticket.
Don't wait call now. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 1pm-
5pm or you can leave a message after hours with the pass-phrase in
your message and Faith will call you back.

Dead of Winter , the Bluestockings

Reminder: Thursdays for "Dead of Winter" at Performance Works Northwest are sliding scale/pay what you will. So if you want to spend a little "different" Valentines Day (and save a few bucks), please come check out our trio of ghost stories, co-produced by The Bluestockings and Pavement Productions. Showtimes are at 8:00, doors open at 7:30; call 503-777-2771 for reservations. Friday and Saturdays are $12 at the door, $10 with an advance purchase at http://theblustockings.com and $10 for students and seniors. Don't have plans for Valentine's Day?

The Big Rock Show, Fall Guy Theatre

Have plans, but aren't looking forward to them?

Flat broke?

Well, Fall Guy Theatre has the answer for you!

Pay-What-You-Will Valentine's Day Special

The Big Rock Show
starring Chicago's own Scotty Iseri, and Portland's own Joe Bolenbaugh

That's right, ladies and gents: This Thursday, instead of blowing
$200+ on chocolates and fancy dinners and champagne rooms, come spend
$5 for some wacky rock-n-roll high jinx!!

Come witness the show that Time Out Chicago calls, "The Lightning
Bolting-est rock parody around."

Songs about girls, songs about politics, songs about giant robots;
this show has something for everybody!! Give us a buck, give us a
bottle cap, we will let you in to the funnest show in town.

All the pertinent info is below. See you at the show!

XOXO,

Fall Guy Theatre

It's not theatre. It's rock-and-roll.

Okay, it's a little bit of both, but frankly, we're not sure quite how
to describe it.

It's The Big Rock Show, and it's come here to rock you!

Take punk-rock energy, political wise-cracking lyrics, special effects
a la Ed Wood, and the hottest sidekick since Jar Jar Binks and what
have you got? You've got Scotty Iseri and The Big Rock Show!! The
World's Smallest Stadium Rock Concert!

Straight from Chicago, singer/songwriter/sex machine Scotty Iseri
brings the greatest rock experience that has ever fit inside a beaten
up old backpack to its first extended Portland engagement. Did you see
him on his international tour last summer? Did you see him at Dante's
in '05 for his one-night-only engagement? Did you see his homemade
adult video on the Internet?

Well that was nothing folks, because THIS Big Rock Show features
all-new songs, a fresh-from-rehab Joe the Roadie (played by Portland
theatre ingenue Joe Bolenbaugh), and the first post-death performance
of Scotty's hit song "Jerry Falwell" on the Left Coast. THIS, my
friends, THIS is The Big Rock Show!

----------------------------------------------------------

Feb. 14–17 & Feb 21--23, 9pm RST (Rock Standard Time)
$10 admission, includes ticket to TBRS and special "all-access" pass*
(see below)
Box Office opens at 7:30pm
Theatre! Theater! 3430 SE Belmont
Tickets also available at www.fallguytheatre.com or (503) 223-4240.

----------------------------------------------------------

*When you get your tickets at the box office, you will also receive a
wristband that grants you all-access to join Scotty the Rock Star and
Joe the Roadie for pre-rock festivities at Aalto Lounge ( 3356 SE
Belmont St., 3 doors down from Theatre! Theater!).

Your wristband guarantees an exclusive discount on your drinks,
including $1 off taps and wells or a $4 special TBRS "Rock-tail," from
7:30 until showtime!

Also, you'll get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hang out with Scotty
and Joe, get your CD/t-shirt/chest signed, and learn what it's like to
party like a Rock Star!!

A Few Stout Individuals, Profile Theater
Profile Theatre offers 2-for-1 tickets to you and your Valentine for
tomorrow, February 14.

There are only four remaining performances of "A Few Stout Individuals", and
in celebration of Valentine's Day, admission for 2 adults is $24, for 2
Seniors is $20, and for 2 Students is only $12.

Of the show, The Oregonian says, "The Profile production has much to praise,
including a cast that is strong from top to bottom and a set and costumes
that aid unobtrusively in the separation and blending of the imaginary and
the real. Andersen manages to portrays a drugged, demented, mostly mute old
man while also conveying all that Grant was -- his strength and weakness,
success and failure, joy and pain."

Please call to make advance reservations: 503-242-0080.

Cindy Lyndin

Director of Administration

Profile Theatre

PO Box 14845, Portland, OR 97293

(503) 242-0080

(503) 235-8089 (fax)

www.ProfileTheatre.org

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Ah, bicycle deaths, and their relative news importance depending on whether or not they happened in the suburbs or the city. That’s a horrible topic to contemplate, isn’t it. A really, truly, horrible topic to think about. But I’m thinking about it, now, thanks to Laura Pope of Beaverton, who writes:

I’m PISSED. A 15-year-old boy, Austin Miller, is KILLED while RIDING HIS BIKE home from school by a TRIMET BUS, and there is NO MENTION of this in THE MERCURY?

As a bicyclist, I understand the dichotomy between bikes and buses. They’re bulky giants, we’re pesky insects. They stomp around in our way, and they’re supposedly always on the lookout for us, annoyingly buzzing in their ear. Yet I always thought that in the end, we were working together. Sharing the road. Being environmentally conscious. All that talk of sustainability has been holding us together, however fragile that relationship may be.

I know what the roads are like for bicyclists out in Beaverton. After two years of fighting my way through downtown Portland traffic on my bike, I am scared to get on the main roads in Beaverton (even those with HUGE bike lanes, like the one that Austin was on) when it comes to commuting by bike. After all, they are most often used not by bicyclists, but by cars as a “second lane.” I honestly expect a car to hit me, whether I’m on my bike in Beaverton, or walking across the street, even at a stop light. After all, this suburb is dominated by car culture. BUT A TRIMET BUS? WHAT THE HELL???

Please, Mercury, use your relentless investigative prowess to put pressure on Tri-Met for the blood on their hands. What happened sickens me- and what makes it even worse is that this young man’s death is being virtually ignored by those who can bring this atrocity to the forefront and not allow for Tri-Met to continue to keep it “hush-hush.”

Sincerely,
Laura Pope
Beaverton, Oregon