This Week in the Mercury
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bikes Conversation Continues on North Williams Revamp
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 3:08 PM
- Amanda Smith
- Tight squeeze: Cyclists, cars, and new development vie for space on Williams
Well, that public input has come in these past two weeks at two major public meetings. BikePortland.org has an exhaustive write-up of last night's contentious meeting. Mayor Sam Adams also issued a statement welcoming the public comment on the plan this week, announcing Deborah Leopold Hutchins (an African-American woman who leads a women's bike group called Sistahs Weekend Cyclers) as the chair of the project's stakeholder committee.
There's a couple options on the table—spelled out here—including removing a parking lane or car travel lane to make more room for bikes.
But what the controversy comes down to, it seems, has less to do with the statistics surrounding bike use, excess parking, and underutilized car travel lanes and everything to do with change in the neighborhood. The city is treading very carefully because North Williams is a neighborhood that has every historic reason to be skeptical of new development plans: The Legacy Emanuel hospital expansion wiped out blocks of the neighborhood back in the sixties. And in just the past three years, condo projects and over a dozen new bike businesses have transformed the area.
So here's the question: Can the community discussion separate bike improvements on North Williams from other change in the area? Or are bikes inextricably linked to all the other demographic and developmental change along Williams?
And, of course, will all this public venting about change actually affect the city's plan? Or, once all the neighbors get the change issues off their chests, will the city revamp the street the way it originally planned?
Sports Arvydas Sabonis is Coming Home
Posted by Ezra Ace Caraeff on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 2:49 PM
One of the greatest global basketball icons to ever set foot on the hardwood—from Lithuania to Portland—Arvydas Sabonis is returning to town following his induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame. The former Blazer enters the Hall on August 11-13 (jeez, that's a long induction period) and then comes back to Portland on the 18th. There should be a party.
There is a party!
The team will honor Sabonis and reunite him with fans in a public celebration at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Thursday, Aug. 18, at approximately 1 p.m., where Sabonis will be added to the Trail Blazers Hall of Fame banner displayed in the Rose Garden.
Who's up for some pre-Sabonis shots (of vodka, naturally) beforehand?
Tech / TV Coolio Approves of this "Internet"—So You Might as Well Try It
Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 2:15 PM
Ever wonder how the internet got so popular? Well, obviously it had tremendous backing from Hollywood's greatest celebrities, including Michael Jackson, Sandra Bullock, and even Coolio! For more information on this new technology of "cyber space," check out this absolutely darling MTV News story from 1995 on the "information super highway"!
Best quote: "Of course there's a lot of sex online... welcome to the human race."—Guy with Lazy Eye.
Fashion / TV Last Warning: Project Runway Season Premiere Tonight!
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Season nine of Lifetime's Project Runway kicks off tonight at 9 pm, featuring two Portland designers, Bryce Black and Becky Ross. This is the fourth time we've been to this rodeo, and all three times a designer from the area has taken the plunge, we've come away victorious. (No pressure, Bryce and Becky!) If you don't feel like watching it alone, the Portland Monthly is hosting a viewing party (just for the premiere, not every episode) at Brix Tavern. Come early for a good spot and to see the hour-long "casting special" airing at 8. In the meantime you can read all about my thoughts on the matter here, and/or debate whether or not Tim Gunn is a butthole. Maybe this creepy preview will help you decide:
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Games / Film Now THIS Is The Tekken Movie I Wanted To See
Posted by Earnest "Nex" Cavalli on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 1:15 PM
A few weeks ago I reviewed the live-action adaptation of Namco Bandai's Tekken, a fighting game that pits genetically modified, boxing velociraptors against petite Chinese school girls.
Fortunately, there's another Tekken film currently playing in a handful of theaters around the US. Odds are solid you won't ever get to see it on the big screen, but a Blu-Ray home release should be appearing some time in December, complete with a PlayStation 3-compatible demo for Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and an HD remake of the original Tekken Tag Tournament.
But why would you possibly want to risk your hard-earned scratch on another Tekken movie? Because in this one, the fights are done correctly:
Food Le JarDIN DIN
Posted by Tony Perez on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:45 PM
It appears that summer's finally here, so we have two weeks or so to make the most of it before the first winter storm hits. (Actually, my wine-maker pal insists that we're going to have an Indian summer, based on previous vintages or something. If he's getting my hopes up for nothing, I swear to God I'm leaving town) If you're looking to celebrate three-straight river-worthy days, you could do worse than a dinner with Courtney Sproule's Din Din Supper Club.
This Sunday, Sproule is setting up shop at Versaille Gardens and Pomerius Nursery. She was inspired to host a French-style garden party while in France this spring, and thus the menu reflects that style of cooking:
zucchini cakes with brandied early tomato & sour cherry
sole stuffed with porcini, leek, and pancetta with beurre Jura and baby chard
rack of Reister lamb, lemon sabayon, and artichoke heart
greens salad & nasturtium
goat cheese
hazelnut panna cotta with Chinon-drowned strawberries
Dinner w/ wine pairings (and possibly spirits...Courtney's playing coy) will run you $75 + gratuity. Dinner's often sell out quickly, but because this one's outside in the garden, there's a little more room. Take advantage. You can reserve your spot by calling 971-544-1350 or sending an e-mail to courtney@dindinportland.com.
Artsy RABID BABIE! by Kayla, Age 11
Posted by Erik Henriksen on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Sometimes this kid named Kayla comes and hangs out at the Mercury. ("This kid?!" she just said from over my shoulder. "THIS VERY HIGHLY INTELLIGENT HUMAN BEING.") None of us know who she is but she draws stuff sometimes. Here is her latest, Rabid Babie!
ARTIST'S STATEMENT:
"I have always had the idea of making a piece about a rabid baby and now I have finally done it. And I am proud of it."
The Mercury is the arts and entertainment paper of record in Portland, Oregon.
Music Astronautalis - "Dimitri Mendeleev"
Posted by Ezra Ace Caraeff on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:14 PM
I've shamelessly used this paper to extol the greatness of Astronautalis since 2004 or so, which means I'm pretty darn thrilled to hear the news that my favorite Seattle (via Florida/Texas) emcee has a new album on the way.
This Is Our Science drops (I can use that word, it's hiphop) on September 15 and the first single is a rapid fire number named for the man who created the periodic table of elements (there is also a Joni Mitchell reference thrown in there somewhere). A reluctant rapper with a damaged rasp and a knack for oddball live shows that are part therapy sessions and part freestyle jams, Astronautalis is hardly your run-of-the-mill rhymer. Last we heard from him, he had teamed with POS to record a conceptual album about F. Scott Fitzgerald under the name the Four Fists, but until that recording sees the light of day, This Is Our Science will be dominating our summer playlist.
LISTEN:
Astronautalis - "Dimitri Mendeleev"
End Hits: Cosmonautalis!
Mercury Gold Star: Comment of the Week!
Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Alison's on vacation this week, so I'll be doling out this week's gift gif. Let's see, who shall I choose... oh, I know! It's El Stunto's comment on one of Sarah Mirk's souvenirs from ComiCon! The photo:
- The One True B!x
The comment:
The GOLD STAR!!!!!!!
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Sexual Politics Portland Slutwalk Says It's Not Really About Sluts
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 11:29 AM
The Slutwalk started last winter in Toronto after a police officer told a group of law students that women should avoid being raped by "not dressing like sluts". Over 1,000 people then took to the streets, marching in slutty outfits.
But Portland's organizers see this Sunday's event a bit differently. I talked with organizer Sophia St. James about what she's expecting.
MERCURY: Is the gist of this that a lot of people are going to dress in sort of "slut costumes" and march through the streets?
SOPHIA ST JAMES: That's not what it's about. I know that's the misconception, however it's not about dressing slutty and walking down the street. It's about saying no matter what we wear, where we go, what we look like, we have a right to be safe. One of the first things that's asked about rape victims is, 'What where they wearing? Where were they at?' It doesn't matter. If someone was wearing a mini-skirt because she wanted to have fun, that doesn't mean it's her fault if she is raped.
Events It's Happening Tonight!
Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 11:14 AM
WUTHERING HEIGHTS—There may be no musician quite as otherworldly as Kate Bush, whose avant-pop songwriting and unmistakable voice make her one of the most incredible (and under-sung) talents out there. Tonight a gallery of local bands pays homage, with covers performed by Parenthetical Girls, Neal Morgan, and plenty others. NL
w/Rocky and the Proms, Prescription Pills, & more; Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8:30 pm, $5
SOUNDTRACKERS—Portland spaghetti-western band Federale does what they were put on this earth to do: perform an original live score to the 1972 Italian western The Grand Duel, starring the colossally cool Lee Van Cleef as an ex-sheriff taking on bounty hunters. The Filmusik folks provide the dialogue and sound effects, so expect whistling and whip cracks and gunshots galore. NL
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, $10-12
Video Blu-Ray Review: National Lampoon's Animal House
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:59 AM
The movie itself, amazingly, seems better than ever. It's astonishing to watch it afresh and realize how, to this day, each new comedy steals liberally from it. It's not an especially good looking movie—the Blu-ray transfer doesn't reveal anything except how dark a lot of the picture looks much of the time. Shot in Eugene with the University of Oregon campus subbing for a fictional Pennsylvania college, it's interesting to see a bit more clearly how rainy and wet the shoot was, and you can see some Oregon mountains in the background of the ROTC scene which I'd never noticed. You can also see a rat running along the stairs behind John Belushi in a scene right before they sneak into the dean's office.
None of these are reasons to upgrade to Blu-ray.
Theater / Geek / United Federation of Planets Win Reserved Seating for Trek in the Park!
Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Dig it: This weekend is the FINAL two days of this year's installment of the universally loved Trek in the Park—this summer featuring the hilarious and exciting Star Trek episode "Mirror, Mirror"! (Read the review here.) The only problem? This show is so wildly popular, it's hard to get choice seating at the Woodlawn Park Amphitheater unless you show up super early... like around noon or 1 pm for a 5 pm show. Ouch! (Before complaining too loudly, read this.) Anyway, here's my advice: Bring a picnic basket, books, and maybe Battleship, and make a lovely afternoon of it! OR....
WIN PRIORITY RESERVED SEATING FOR TWO SMACK IN THE CENTER OF THE BOWL WITH THIS BLOGTOWN CONTEST!!
That's right! The Trek in the Park peeps will reserve TWO of the best seats in the house for you and a pal THIS SUNDAY ONLY (the final performance)—and all you have to do is roll up by 4:45 pm, and win this contest. EMAIL ME HERE by 3 pm tomorrow (Friday), put "Trek in the Park Seats" in the subject line, and give a fan-fucking-tasic reason why we should choose you for this fantastic prize! We'll pick the best response, and notify you by email by 4 pm on Friday if you've won. Remember, this contest is for the 5 pm show on Sunday only! (Added bonus: You get to see me playing a passive-aggressive alien! That's a double win!)
Good luck and see you this weekend for the final outdoor performances of Trek in the Park!
SEX SL Letter of the Day: Curious and Horny, but Not Nuts
Posted by Christopher Ryan, PHD on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Christopher Ryan, co-author of Sex at Dawn, is stepping in for Dan Savage, who is on vacation. Chris will be writing the “Savage Love Letter of the Day” all this week. You can read more from Chris at his blog at Psychology Today, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Sex at Dawn has just been released in paperback.
Hey Dan,I am 17 year old girl and for many years now I have had really intense feelings for some of my best friends who are girls. I haven't told them or anyone else about it. What's even more confusing is that I have had really serious relationships with guys. Is it possible that I am Bisexual? Is it possible that I am a lesbian who happened to find a few guys I was attracted to? I don't know what to think or feel and I feel like if I tell anyone they will think I am nuts.
Confused as Hell
My answer after the jump...
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Crime Crimesville: Man Uses Little Girl as Human Shield
Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:14 AM
I love the summers in Portland because the criminals get nuttier as the temperature rises! Following the man who took a boy hostage with a rock, here's the sad/weird story of a man who police say used his daughter as a human shield!
Officers responded to a call of an altercation in Mt. Tabor Park on Tuesday at around 5 pm, in which police claim the suspect, 32-year-old Hugh Brandon Neustel, had spit on a park volunteer, and then threatened said volunteer with a gun. That's when things went nutsy. From the PPB release:
People at the park pointed Neustel out to the arriving officers. Officers approached Neustel but he walked away from them ignoring them. It appeared that Neustel had something in his hand. Neustel walked toward the playground and grabbed a 6-year-old girl off the equipment and held her across his body as a human shield.Officers repeatedly asked him to put the girl down. At some point Neustel indicated the girl was his daughter. Officers requested additional cover units respond to the scene. It was only after several additional officers arrived that Neustel complied, he put the girl down and was arrested. Officers located a weapon. [Later discovered to be "a loaded Springfield Armory 40 caliber pistol."]
Whew, I'm glad that worked out okay, because that means I can make the following joke: "Daaaaad, stop using me as human shield! You're embarrassing meeeeeeee!"
Neustel was transported to the Multnomah County Detention Center and was charged with Attempted Coercion, two counts of Disorderly Conduct, Harassment, Interfering with a Police Officer, Possessing a Weapon in Park, and two counts of Reckless Endangering.
And the summer of fun continues.
Film GEORGE CLOONEY FOR PRESIDENT
Posted by Erik Henriksen on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 9:57 AM
Back when he was a lowly ER doctor, I'd have never guessed that George Clooney would go on to become a pretty badass director, but there you go. And back when he was Young Hercules, I'd have never guessed that Ryan Gosling would go on to become a guy my girlfriend never, ever stops saying she wants to bone, but there you go. And now Kevin Sorbo Jr.'s starring in Dr. Doug's The Ides of March (previously known by its shooting title, JULIUS CAESAR REFERENCE! JULIUS CAESAR REFERENCE!).
That trailer doesn't do a whole lot for me, but I've got enough faith in Clooney to suspect the film will end up being solid. But even if it doesn't, they can just use "So much handsome!" as the tagline and watch the money come rollin' on in.
Fashion / TV Tim Gunn: Now a Butthole?
Posted by David Schmader on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 9:44 AM
Exhibit A: Gunn's recent appearance on the George Lopez show, where he critiqued Hillary Clinton's clothes, cankles, and "gender confusion."
News Good Morning News!
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 9:32 AM
Debt! Debt! Vote! Vote! Democrats and Republicans in the House both huddle with their partisan camps before a vote today on the debt ceiling.
$1 of Every $5 in the Economy: Is the nation's healthcare tab in 2020, say number crunchers.
The End of the World: Sweden is building a nuclear waste storage facility that will outlive us all.
The DSK Maid Tape: The lawyer of the woman who accused Dominique Strauss-Kahn of rape says she never schemed to make money.
Riot at the Documentary Screening: An "unruly crowd" dancing, taunting police, and "planking" at an LA screening of a documentary about an electronic music festival results in police shooting beanbags and setting up a mobile jail.
John McCain Slanders Hobbits: The Senator uses the noble Middle Earth race to describe Tea Party members.
White House Rickroll: Following the lead of the Oregon Legislature, the White House rickrolls its Twitter followers.
It's Aliiiiiive: Scientists seem close to creating the spark of life in a test tube.
Speaking of Science: They've also created a glow-in-the-dark dog recently.
Music This Week's Mercury Music Section
Posted by Ezra Ace Caraeff on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 8:08 AM
- Robin Laananen
- Le Butcherettes
Another week, another Mercury music section to ignore while you read about how Morrissey declares that the Norway shootings were no worse than McDonalds or KFC. How can such a smart man say so many dumb things?
There are many components at play with Le Butcherettes: A Guadalajara-raised singer named Teri Gender Bender, the drummer from the Locust, a record label run by the afro'd gentleman from Mars Volta, and a fiery, intense live show that isn't afraid of a little blood.
LISTEN:
Le Butcherettes - "I'm Getting Sick Of You"
Despite its title, Goodbye Bread is not a low-carb conceptual album about the Atkins diet (R.I.P., Uncle Butchy's Low Carb Creations). Instead it's the latest batch of sun-soaked garage rock from dude/bro Ty Segall.
LISTEN:
Ty Segall - "You Make The Sun Fry"
End Hits: Can I get that without a bun?
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Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Mercury The I, Anonymous Blog Quote o' the Day!
Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 3:44 PM
And now, a public service announcement from the new I, Anonymous blog.
To the texting guy I honked at, I'm sorry I wasn't minding "my" business. I'm sorry I incited you to cuss me out in front of my daughter. I'm sorry I didn't pull over so you could kick my ass, as you obviously wanted to. But most of all, I'm sorry you don't realize that it's illegal / dangerous / rude to text while you are driving. If you are driving anywhere while drunk, texting, talking on your phone, double-fisting a burger, getting a blow job, or WHATEVER it is you do that diverts your attention from the road, it is EVERYONE'S business.
Hear that, texters and blowjobbers? LEARN IT. KNOW IT. LIVE IT. This public service announcement was brought to you by the new I, Anonymous blog where you can also submit your own finger-waggy lessons of the day. Nyyah.
Politics Wu News: Yes, He Gets a Pension. No, No One's Saying He's a Furry.
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 3:25 PM
Not a lot of news on David Wu's resignation/career implosion except for two things.
One: USA Today has published what's essentially a press release from an antitax group noting that, despite resigning, Congressman Wu will still receive a pension. The idea of Wu receiving any public money might make some people sick, but the issue isn't really about Wu. It's about cushy congressional pensions. The same story flared up when Rep. Weiner resigned and became eligible for his $37,000 annual pension.
Two: It bothers me when news organizations pair the infamous Tigger photo with headlines about Wu's sex scandal. The photo's relevant because it shows he was having some sort of mental breakdown, but linking it in the headline is clearly a gambit to make David Wu look like a furry. Or at least to get readers to click through, wondering, "OMG! A congressman is a furry? Oh. Wait. Just an alleged assaulter." The actual allegations should be story enough.
Lookin at you, front page of AOL.com:
TV Teen Comedies from the '90s KILL IT
Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 2:29 PM
I gave you ample warning, and apparently you took me up on my advice to watch "The '90s Are All That" programming block on TeenNick from 12 am-2 am—because they killed it ratings-wise. (Or at least killed it as well as a basic cable channel can kill it.) The block debuted on Monday with 155,000 viewers or a 114% increase over last year. WOW! And even better...
In those demos, the reruns of Nickelodeon's Kenan & Kel (from 1995), All That (1996), Doug (1991) and Clarissa Explains It All (1992) bested most network late-night shows. On Twitter, TeenNick had eight of nine trending topics worldwide during the block's premiere.
Here's the schedule if you need it, and what follows is possibly the greatest comedy sketch ever from the show All That entitled, "Cheese Police." YOU'RE WELCOME!!
Comic Books Forming Drops into Our Greedy Little Hands
Posted by Suzette "the Intern" Smith on Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 2:00 PM
I refuse to believe that comics publishing is doomed. Sure, the Xeric just decided we should all make webcomics, but that's okay, Xeric; we'll all just get published somewhere else. Maybe in Europe.
Jesse Moynihan's Forming may not be the best example, because the West Philly artist posts pages to his blog every Sunday night. Or maybe it's a great example, because Forming fans and European publishers (did you hear that, Xeric? European publishers!) realized Forming was a webcomic that really deserved to be in print. Some things still need to be in print. Jesse's colors and dick jokes (you can view said dick jokes after the jump) are too boss to exist only on the web. You have to get the ink on paper to really look at it, and London indie publishers Nobrow flippin' did it.
Election 2012 Sarah Palin Uses Big Word, Astonishes Nation
Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Holy shit you guys: Count the syllables in this bad boy that Sarah Palin just dropped:
“A lot of this has to do with his background, him having not been a part of the private sector and running a business or having to rely on making profit. That seems to be foreign to our President. His background and those he’s appointing don’t understand what America was built upon. His ideas are the antithesis of those things that created the prosperity in America,” Palin said.
How many times do you think she pronounced it "anti-thesis" in practice before her advisers finally corrected her? Anyway: This is just more cowardly bullshit from Palin. Note the prominent use of the word "foreign" when talking about the president. She's still using her where's-the-birth-certificate dog whistles to drum up the base, which is so 2010. This woman is an artifact.
Music This is What it Looks Like When a Backhoe Meets Satyricon
Posted by Ezra Ace Caraeff on Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Tipster Gregory Day was kind enough to send us these photos of the famed Satyricon building meeting its ultimate demise at the hands of a demolition crew. While the punk rock landmark is now literally just a pile of rubble, you can always post your (hazy) memories here.
Teary-eyed punks should not click the jump, because there are more photos there.
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