My breakfast is getting later and later, even though I am arriving in the kitchen earlier and earlier. This is all due to the fact that my lovely deck has become a short order café! And I do mean short, as I have yet to see a tall squirrel. I am a real sucker for […]
The Columbia River runs silently without fanfare past our backyard. I have driven along it hundreds of times and never seriously considered its history. Much like having my 88 year old grandmother living with us until her death when I was 15, I never gave a thought about asking her about her family, childhood, or […]
What is it that makes America strong? Is it our vast land, our democratic way of governing, or could it be our entrepreneurial spirit? My wager is on the latter. While it is true that we’ve been blessed with rich real estate, it is the individual that must cultivate the land. And it’s also true […]
The unprecendented Pacific Northwest heat wave reached 108oF on June 26, 112oF the next day, and then the new record temperature of 116oF on June 28 in Portland. The usual opportunists jumped in with their typical cries of “rising CO2 levels,” “blaming greenhouse gas emissions,” “stop all fossil fuels,” “need state carbon taxes,” and “the […]
Retired Lieutenant-Colonel’s path in life reflects accomplishment, commitment and hard work. He is bringing these qualities to work as a Clackamas County Commissioner Mark Shull’s path in life has led him toward a variety of pursuits as an Oregon logger, a 25-year military career, home builder/ designer and now Clackamas County Commissioner. This Sam Barlow […]
Keeper talks, train ride, Insect Zoo are back — plus new evening hours on weekends As people begin returning to their favorite pre-pandemic pastimes, the Oregon Zoo is ready, with longer hours and a host of seasonal activities. On Fridays and Saturdays, guests can come late and spend an idyllic summer evening at the zoo. […]
A proposed ordinance aims to deprioritize some homeless camps considered “low impact” This week, Portland City Council will consider new rules for homeless camp clean-ups. If approved, the city will “deprioritize” camps considered “low impact.” But, what makes a camp low impact? The city says a camp is low impact if it’s 150 feet away […]
Light rail has problems with reliability despite massive government funding. The U.S. Postal Service boasts that “neither snow nor rain nor heat” can keep mail carriers from swiftly completing their rounds; TriMet’s MAX Light Rail service can make no such claim. Last week, the heatwave brought temperatures well into the 100s, causing MAX services to […]
Help restore Commissioner Shull’s committee liaison positions and demand the Commission revoke the existing censor on him. Please attend in person or watch on line via Zoom. If you wish to speak on this matter, and other concerns, you will have up to 3 minutes for public comments. You can do this in person, remote […]
Because the global temperature has been very close to normal for several months, most people will wonder about a “Great Heat Wave,” except those who live in the Pacific Northwest. At the end of June, Western Oregon and Washington experienced one of the most extreme heat waves ever observed. For three days, temperatures rose to […]