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Oven and Shaker's Italian Comfort Food


Tour Guide to Shakespeare

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Tour Guide to Shakespeare

Portland Center Stage's Shakespeare's Amazing Cymbeline.



Ethics

Monday, January 30, 2012

In a Mere Two Minutes and 25 Seconds, a Soulless Matthew Broderick Systematically Destroys One of My Childhood Heroes

Posted by Erik Henriksen on Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 1:14 PM

Do not watch this.

What. I warned you. Via FilmDrunk.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Rabbit Capers Strike Again!

Posted by Alex Zielinski on Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 12:59 PM

Remember November's sad "animal rights"- fueled rabbit-snatching incident? It's happened again. This time, however, the 'nappers have raised the bar.

Instead of a mere pair, 23 rabbits were lifted from Levi Cole's Portland property on Saturday evening. Cole, a Portland Meat Collective instructor, had scheduled a class on raising, slaughtering and preparing (for consumption) rabbits the following morning. Sounds a lot like the 2010 chickennapping triggered by a chicken slaughtering class. Cole agrees. He told the Oregonian that he suspects politically-fueled foul play.

"We get an occasional comment on the website, some people who are angry at our existence," Davis said, but said this incident "hurts the livelihood of the people who are raising the animals."

Here's the bummer part: the thieves left nine nursing baby rabbits behind. Left without any adult rabbits to nurse from, the nine died Sunday morning. Commence crying everywhere.

Nonetheless, the Sunday class went on with another collection of rabbits. Any info on this posse of stolen rabbits? Contact the Portland Meat Collective.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Galactic Empire Shills for Salvation Army: Super "Right" or Super "Wrong"?

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Mon, Dec 19, 2011 at 1:29 PM

So I'll strolling downtown on Saturday, when what to my wondering eyes should appear on the corner of Morrison and sixth? THIS: Members of the Galactic Empire collecting money for the Salvation Army.

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So on one hand, I'm pissed that some of my fave characters (Boba Fett was there, too!) were shilling for the "anti-gay" Salvation Army. On the other hand, who else but the most evil characters in the universe should be shilling for the "anti-gay" Salvation Army?

How should I feel about this?? MAKE UP MY MIND FOR ME!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Trailer Time! Sacha Baron Cohen's The Dictator

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 11:44 AM

Soooooo... Sacha Baron Cohen, who has historically been wildly hilarious, has a new movie coming out this summer called The Dictator, supposedly based on the Saddam Hussein-penned romance novel, Zabibah and the King—though to me it just looks like flat out racism. ("And yet Borat wasn't racist?" I hear my brain scream at me. STOP SCREAMING AT ME, BRAIN!! Let's let the more-ethical-than-thou residents of Blogtown solve this quandary. Sheesh!) Watch this.

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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Model Watch: Digital Bodies and Maimings

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 3:14 PM

The latest hoopla in the wild and woolly world of fashion models is that H&M got "busted" Photoshopping actual, alive models' faces onto what are basically digital mannequins:


Other than the fact that the fake apparently only has one pose, there's no way I would notice this, and I'm not sure it matters that much. This looks like the figure of any other real model you'd find modeling lingerie in this context, and as such it doesn't strike me as particularly any more or less fair to the rest of the women in the world than the selective ideal and liberal use of Photoshopping that has already become standard. As for the chain, H&M's argument seems to be that its use of the digi-dolls is for the sake of the clothing, as in the clarity (and consistency?) with which you can see it while shopping online. At least that's how I interpret this quote from H&M press spokesperson Håcan Andersson: "This is not about ideals or to show off a perfect body, we do this to demonstrate an item of clothing. This is done for all clothing, not just for underwear, both male and female clothing.”

In other, far more disturbing model news, American model Lauren Scruggs walked into the propeller of a plane, losing a hand, slicing a shoulder, and potentially losing sight in her left eye.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Blogtown Ethicist: Dream Lover

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 1:29 PM

So last night I'm dreaming that I'm about to bone this hot naked chick, and—WAIT! DON'T SCROLL YET! It's not exactly what you think!

So anyway, I'm dreaming I'm about to bone this hot naked chick, when all of a sudden she stops, and says, "Due to prior uncomfortable sexual experiences with other partners, I'm not willing to bone with you right now." And (in the dream) I'm like, "Ummm... okay. I will be satisfied with oral gratification, which is to say giving and receiving." And (still dreaming) she's like, "Ummm... no. Not willing to do that either. I'm just going to sit here being hot and naked." And I'm all like...
I WOKE UP. And I was pretty freaking MAD.

Now, if this happened to me in real life (and come to think of it, it has at least once) I would be all like, "Sigh. Okay, I understand. Let's put on our clothes and go get a milk shake." However in my dream, I think I have a right to be pissed, because... IT'S A DREAM. I mean, it's not a real person, it's a dream person, and maybe she could've put aside whatever dream issues she had with previous sexual dream partners, and dream boned the hell out of me!

SO! Here's your Blogtown Ethicist question of the day:
IS IT ETHICAL FOR ME TO BE JUSTIFIABLY PISSED THAT MY MENTALLY TROUBLED DREAM GIRL DIDN'T DREAM BONE ME IN MY DREAM?

Your conclusion to this quandary is welcome in the comments.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Today's "Gossip is Not Cool" Funnies!

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Wed, Nov 16, 2011 at 10:44 AM

We got this "Gossip is Not Cool" poster from the dollar store, we hung it up in our office kitchen, and now we deface it on a semi-regular basis. Welcome to "Gossip is Not Cool" Funnies!

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And now, here's today's "Gossip is Not Cool" Funny.

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The rest after the jump!

Continue reading »

Monday, November 14, 2011

Today's "Gossip is Not Cool" Funnies!

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 1:29 PM

As previously mentioned, our circ director Jay picked up a "Gossip is Not Cool" poster at the dollar store, which he promptly hung in the office kitchen, and we promptly began to deface on a regular basis.

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That being said, here is today's "Gossip is Not Cool" Funnies!

commie.jpg

The rest after the jump!

Continue reading »

Friday, November 11, 2011

"Gossip is Not Cool" Funnies!

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 10:44 AM

So Jay, our circulation director, found the following "Gossip is Not Cool" poster at the dollar store which he promptly hung up in our office kitchen.

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And ever since, we've been modifying the poster every week into something we like to call "Gossip is Not Cool" Funnies!

For example:

abortion.jpg

The rest of this week's "Gossip is Not Cool" Funnies after the jump!

Continue reading »

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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Every Child Deserves a Mother and a Father

Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Nov 2, 2011 at 2:14 PM

Horrifying. Details here and here.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Small Anti-Racism Campaign Goes Big

Posted by Alex Zielinski on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 1:14 PM

Perhaps in response to this post, a Ohio University group, Students Teaching Against Racism, launched a Halloween anti-racism campaign this week.

STUDENTS-AGAINST-RACISM.jpg
  • Students Teaching Against Racism

These posters have spread like wildfire across the interwebs. And it looks like STAR wasn't predicting such a spotlight. STAR released a statement on its president's Tumblr account:

We are so proud of all the support but it’s overwhelming; We have less than 10 members in our group. lol We ask that you do not personally email any of the execs or message their personal tumblrs. Thank you guys so much for the love! The purpose was to educate and create dialogue and it did :) We have a meeting with a lawyer on Monday so we can protect our posters and the posters will be all over Ohio University’s campus this week! Again, thanks for the support and have a happy Halloween!
Best,
Students Teaching About Racism in Society (STARS) at Ohio University Executive board

Hey-o for the small anti-racism student groups making it big! Hopefully these images will make a dent in the trashy racist costumes that pollute college campuses and boozy fiestas.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Here's the Rest of that Note You Wanted to Read

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 3:01 PM

Remember that note I mentioned earlier? The one you wanted to read? Here it is:

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Do You Want to Read This Note?

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 12:59 PM

This is a picture of the inside of a cupboard in the Mercury office kitchen.

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Would you like to know what the rest of the note says? If so, I'll post it later this afternoon.

The Blogtown Ethicist: Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 10:44 AM

Today's quandary: You've had the same hairstylist for years. You've shared some of your deepest secrets with him/her, he/she has shared his/her deepest secrets with you. YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP. That being said, you're bored, and it's time for a change. You want to dump the hairstylist without hurting his/her feelings. SO WHAT DO YOU DO? Lie? Tell the truth? Tell a modified version of the truth? Face to face? Via phone? Text? Mysteriously disappear and drop off the grid forever? WHAT??
Your definitive solution to this well-known conundrum is welcome in the comments.

A hairstyle.
  • A hairstyle.

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Thursday, September 29, 2011

Toilet Crosspuzzling: CONDEMN OR ALLOW?

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 2:14 PM

Photo taken early this afternoon in the Mercury bathroom:

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The Blogtown Ethicist: The Office Coffeemaker

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 10:44 AM

Nothing in the Mercury office garners more heated debate than the office coffeemaker. (And one wonders why print media is coughing up blood.) Therefore we need the great minds of Blogtown to help us solve TWO ethical conundrums today:
Conundrum #1: You're making roughly 12 cups of coffee. How much coffee would you ladle into the coffeemaker basket to ensure the necessary strength without causing an overflow?
Conundrum #2: Everybody knows that God's 11th commandment was "If you drink the last cup of coffee, make another pot." HOWEVER! At what hour during the business day, do you IGNORE this commandment, because nobody else will be drinking it anyway, and it would be a ridiculous waste that we shouldn't care about, and yet we do?

Your final answer will be legally binding, and will be entered into the Portland Mercury Employee Handbook as LAW. (As usual, feel free to discuss the intricacies of these quandaries in the comments below, and you will, because you sincerely have nothing better to do.)

Friday, September 16, 2011

The Continuing Story of Dr. Darm or "When is a Plastic Surgeon NOT a Plastic Surgeon?"

Posted by Alex Zielinski on Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 10:44 AM

Since the story on Lake Oswego Dr. Darm's Twitter libel case hit the Mercury almost a month ago, we've received a surprising slew of responses from doctors and lawyers alike on one certain aspect: labeling Darm as a "plastic surgeon."

Darm's attorney, Thomas McDermott, explained his stance in an email to the Mercury : "Dr. Darm is not, and has never claimed to be, a plastic surgeon." Instead, the lawyer says Dr. Darm goes by the title "aesthetic surgeon."

However, unknowing consumers and journalists alike could easily be confused by Dr. Darm's website into assuming that Darm actually is a plastic surgeon. Here's a screenshot from his "Plastic Surgery" page with Darm's signature leaving a stamp of approval:

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So we asked the American Society of Plastic Surgeons what they thought. Their response: "Anyone can call themselves a plastic surgeon (which is why we see so many consumers with botched procedures performed by someone claiming to be a plastic or cosmetic surgeon)." But members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons must be board certified. So, while Darm may not be a certified plastic surgeon, it's not illegal for him to call himself one. Or us, for that matter. Still, we're going to tack a clarification about Dr. Darm's title onto the full story.

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This was seconded by Providence St. Vincent's Chief of Plastic Surgery, Yale Popowich, who wrote that calling Darm a plastic surgeon is misleading and unethical, as he remains without proper board certification. He added that Darm would not be considered for this type of consideration because he lacks "safe, ethical and modern approaches to plastic and reconstructive surgery".

While Darm is without this certification, his website, again, could easily be misinterpreted. Here's a screenshot on the right from a video displaying before and after plastic surgery photos coupled with Darm's website name and apparent title: Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Darm may have another doctor working under him as a board certified plastic surgeon, but the clarification is lacking. We contacted Darm's office and left a message and have yet to receive a response.

Michael Moore vs. Elizabeth Hasselbeck vs. Osama bin Laden... ON WHOM DO YOU WAGER?!?

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 10:13 AM

Okay, in THIS case I'll admit I'm happy that Elizabeth Hasselbeck—the blonde harpy from The View—exists: because she made this debate with Michael Moore over whether or not we should've killed Osama bin Laden (or given him a fair trial) a very entertaining four minutes of television indeed. (Though she's still dumb as a mentally impaired doorknob.)

Monday, September 12, 2011

The Blogtown Ethicist: The "Bad"minton Game

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 2:14 PM

So as mentioned this morning, I participated in the first annual Invitational SE Neighborhood Mixed Doubles Badminton Championships yesterday—and my team LOST. I will readily admit I wasn't at my best; the birdie was having trouble finding the head of my racquet, my slams were repeatedly landing out of bounds, and while my drop shots were dropping, they were doing so on my side of the net.
During the first game of the semi-finals, I was playing on the backhand (or left) side of the court. HOWEVER! At the beginning of the second game, I asked my partner if she would rather play the backhand side, to which she responded:

Ummm... YEAH. I think I will, "sieve-y."

I thought she meant, "Civvy," like a "civilian," but when I asked her to elaborate, she said:
No, SIEVE-Y. Like your racquet is a "sieve." One that filters out BIRDIES!

Naturally, I was furious, and decided to retaliate accordingly. Whenever the opposing team would hit the birdie high in the air, setting me up for a slam, I would turn at the last second and slam the birdie down on my opponent's head. So yeah... we lost that game, too, as well as the tournament. Now I'm thinking that my approach to the situation may not have been the most ethical. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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Friday, September 9, 2011

Today in PSAs: Don't Steal a Transformer

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Fri, Sep 9, 2011 at 2:59 PM

Yeah, yeah... I know. Stealing cars is "fun" and "cool," and a weekend without stealing a car is strictly BORINGSVILLE. However, if you're going to steal, be sure to choose a car that does NOT display the "Autobot" symbol. You could be asking for trouble. Take it from... THE TRANSFORMERS.

Now you know... and knowing is half—if not three-quarters—of the battle!

The Gospel According to Larry

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Fri, Sep 9, 2011 at 10:44 AM

I think we can all agree that the Ten Commandments—while certainly serving their purpose—is something whose time has passed. In fact, toss the whole Bible out while you're at it. IT'S OLD-TIMEY AND IRRELEVANT TO THE MODERN AGE. And besides, Larry David of Curb Your Enthusiasm has already established a new set of commandments that fit perfectly with the lifestyles of us modern urban types, and we should all start adhering to these updated societal laws as soon as possible. (Except for the "no blowjobs in the car" rule. That sounds kinda harsh.)

Via

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Holy Womb Elephants!

Posted by Alison Hallett on Wed, Sep 7, 2011 at 8:59 AM

Uh uh. I might have to reconsider my stance on elephant abortion.

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Jezebel has a whole gorgeous, creepy slideshow of animals in utero, from an upcoming National Geographic Documentary called “Extraordinary Animals in the Womb.” Shark! Chihuahua! Go look.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Kids' Koncerns Korner: The Happy Meal

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Tue, Sep 6, 2011 at 1:47 PM

It's been brought to my attention that Blogtown readers are aging rapidly, and are therefore expendable. However, we do appreciate the years of dedication you've given to Blogtown, and hope you will leave at the earliest possible convenience. But before you go, if you happen to know any young people, we'd appreciate it if you'd direct them to our newest blog column on your way out the door. It's called:

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Hey Kids! Welcome to Blogtown—where we "Kare" about "Kids" and their "Koncerns!" (And "Korners.") Do you have a "koncern" you'd like to get off your chest? Write to us HERE, and we'll post your "koncern." Then our "kommenters" will give you advice on what you "kan" do to resolve your "konundrum." Oh-"K"? Oh-"K"! Here's our first Kids' Koncerns Korner letter from Elsie Minert of SE Portland.

I love Happy Meals. I get them whenever my parents let me. I like the toys they put inside. I like french fries. I don't like the hamburgers. They put pickles on them! Why do they do that? No kid likes pickles! But they're on every Happy Meal hamburger. This is concerning to me.—Elsie Minert, Age 6

Hey Kids! Got a suggestion that will "kure" Elsie's "koncern"? "Kick" it to the "komments" below!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I Don't Even

Posted by Erik Henriksen on Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 11:59 AM

Monday, August 22, 2011

THE BLOGTOWN ETHICIST: Jetskis!

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 1:45 PM

I was reminded of this ethical quandary while hanging out at the river this weekend: Are jetskis okay, or not okay? On one hand, I hate to deny anyone the scant amount pleasure we receive in life (that's not exactly true, but allow me to pretend it is for the sake of this particular argument). On the other hand, jetskiiers totally stomp my buzz, because a) they are loud, obnoxious, and overly rambunctious, and b) they're having fun that I'm not having, and rubbing it in my face.

SO! Here's your Blogtown Ethicist question of the day:

IS IT ETHICAL FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF TO RIDE THE SHIT OUT OF JETSKIS IN FULL VIEW OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT HAVING AS MUCH FUN ON THE SHORE?

Your views on this subject's ethicalities are welcome in the comments section below.

People having fun while youre not.
  • People having fun while you're not.

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