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Copyright: Copyright 2016 Portland Mercury. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Portland Mercury readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Portland Mercury. Taming the BeastTaming the BeastThu, 31 May 2012 04:00:00 -0700
Can Mayor Sam Adams put a leash on Last Thursday? by Alex Zielinski WITH PORTLAND'S SEASON of outdoor festivals about to dawn, Mayor Sam Adams' office is taking serious steps toward taming one of the city's most notorious: Last Thursday. The monthly arts gathering, which takes over a chunk of NE Alberta with vendor booths, entertainment, and general gaiety, has had a long, rocky history with neighbors and city officials. But according to organizers and recordings of semi-private "stakeholder" meetings obtained by the Mercury, that sometimes-fractious relationship could be reaching a breaking point. Adams' office, looking to cut down on police costs and general chaos, is leading a heavy-handed push to permit the event and line up sponsors. But longtime Last Thursday leaders are convinced the city's changes will turn the freewheeling festival into a strict, corporate-sponsored affair that sells out the idea the event was founded on. "Sponsorships are a slippery slope," says Rochelle Sa liba, a former member of the nonprofit that runs the event, Friends of Last Thursday (FOLT). "Last Thursday isn't Last Thursday if there's money involved. The mayor thinks he's saving it, but he's really killing it." Starting in January, Adams' staff began bringing FOLT and other community members to the mayor's warren of offices in city hall for a series of meetings on the future of the event. While the mayor's staffers say the get-togethers have been helpful—moving FOLT in the direction of a permit—recordings of those sessions obtained through a public records request reveal little agreement, and a lot of tension. In a meeting in March, Adams shot down Saliba's request to refuse sponsors. "I'm doing sponsorships and we are going to be fundraising on the streets. I can and I will," he said. "There is no other way to raise money. How much money do you have in the bank from last year? Zero." To this, Saliba retorts: "You can't decide, Sam." "I just did," Adams fired back. "If I h ave to be dictatorial about it, I will be. I am confident we'll be able to work through this. But it's time we all grow up." Saliba quit FOLT shortly after the meeting, irked by Adams' power play and the direction the talks were taking. For 15 years, Last Thursday has been an unpermitted version of an outdoor gallery walk, born in 1997, that soon grew into a monthly street party, leading to a landslide of neighbor complaints regarding noise, traffic, trash, and public urination. But for city officials, Last Thursday is just learning how to walk—two years ago, the mayor's office helped spark the creation of FOLT, in hopes that it could ultimately regulate and organize the untamed event. The city, however, still doesn't think FOLT is ready to take the reins—with Adams particularly frustrated over organizers' steadfast refusal to push for local sponsorships or do fundraising. Earlier this year, the Portland Bureau of Transportation refused to give FOLT a permit for closing NE Alber ta. "This is a quintessential Portland event, important for local businesses and the community," Catherine Ciarlo, the mayor's transportation director, told the Mercury. "We don't want to change that. But it's crucial that the community meets its own goals first before Last Thursday gets a permit." Last year, the city spent $10,000 a month to close off NE Alberta and provide security—and Adams tried to make it clear that the city council wouldn't help out this year. FOLT is split on how to finance Last Thursday. Sponsorships could pay for portable toilets, trash dispensers, and other necessary items—but they also could corrupt the free nature of the event. Still, despite Adams' warnings, it seems the city will remain on the hook for security costs—at least this year. The first Last Thursday of 2012 is planned for Thursday, May 31, and officials say there are no plans to shut it down. Ciarlo now says the mayor's office is hoping Last Thursday will prove its[...] Download (the Long-Lost) Episode 20 of the Mercury Music HourMon, 29 Nov 2010 15:44:00 -0800
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Hello, audiophiles and music collectors! We have a very special surprise for you this week: A long-unheard episode of the legendary Mercury Music Hour! Back in the day, the Mercury Music Hour could be heard weekly at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm. Its seminal influence went on to change the face of both radio and Portland music forever. And now here's the legendary, long-lost Episode 20, which hasn't been heard since its original broadcast on... uh... the week of November 20-24, 2010. So, yeah... uh, I guess that was last week. I suppose it's not really long-lost. I usually post these things at the end of every week, though, and I forgot to do it this past Friday because of turkey and wine and general irresponsibility. So, there you go. A kind of long-lost episode, posted a couple days late for your listening pleasure.
LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 20
Actually, I'll change my tune here and say it's long-lost because it contains a really noticeable technical error—the music mistakenly begins while we're still talking. Yay Garageband, and your blocks of audio that are easily and accidentally moveable! Playlist after the jump!
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144404/mmhlogo.jpg
Download Episode 19 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 19 Nov 2010 13:29:00 -0800
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Hey gang. How's it going. Rainy, right. Yeah. We know. Well, maybe we can cheer you up. As you well know, you can listen to the Mercury Music Hour when it broadcasts every week at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm. Oh. You missed this week's episode. Shoot. Well, that's okay. We have this week's episode for you here.
LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 19
Playlist after the jump, guys.
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144405/mmhlogo.jpg
Download Episode 16 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 29 Oct 2010 14:00:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Boo! Did we scare you? It's a spooooky episode of the Mercury Music Hour! You can listen to the ghoulish show every week at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Booooo! (actually that's 94.7 Too), and streaming online at 947.fm. But now you can download this week's haunted episode, which is sure to strike terror in your heart. It's fright-tastic!
Ugh. Sorry about that. Halloween season's almost over, folks. Don't worry, this episode isn't really even Halloween themed.
LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 16
Playlist after the jump!
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144408/mmhlogo.jpg
Take Your City and Shove It!Take Your City and Shove It!Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:00:00 -0700
The Best Complaints to City Hall by Sarah Mirk If you have a complaint, Portland City Hall has a voicemail for you. Call 503-823-4740. It's the job of the public advocate in Mayor Sam Adams' office to field concerns from citizens—and she fields a lot. In fact, a transcription of the complaints left on her voicemail from the last nine months spans 176 pages, and we've picked out the best of the best complaints of the year for your reading enjoyment. Beware: many are depressing and crazy. (Surprised?) Portland as a city is all about promoting public input, but many of the comments directed to the mayor's office are, at best, aggressive and unhelpful and at worst, tirades about subjects the mayor has no control over. So go ahead, lodge a complaint. A volunteer will dutifully transcribe your voicemail and, if it's actually relevant to the mayor's office, send it on to a staffer. You may even get a response—but when you do, remember: It's not going to kill you to be nice. December 30, 2009, 11:21 am This here message is for Sam Adams, who thinks he's the leader of Portland. You're no leader. We have no leaders in Portland. I've been sitting in traffic in the same spot—the same half-mile of I-5—for three and a half hours, going on four hours, just inching my way along, because of icy roads. If you were any kind of a leader, this wouldn't be happening. Unfortunately, it's a city of thugs, like our president and the rest of the Democrats currently at the controls of this country that have driven it into the fucking ground! You asshole!! December 30, 2009, 12:10 pm You can't get this city to do anything except ruin itself. You know what? I have to tell you something. I know the camera puts on 10 pounds, but Sam, you need to know: You are getting fat—around the middle, where it's very dangerous for your heart. So, you are a fat failure. January 4, 2010, 11:36 am We own City Liquidators down here on the east end of the Morrison Bridge. I'm calling today about th e homeless camps that surround our property. It's now gotten beyond control. It was two or three, three or four, and now there are 15. There's human feces everywhere. There's just poop, poop, poop. It smells like urine. We've tried to cut the smell with Pine-Sol, and that didn't work. We've tried being nice. This weekend they were in here in our building using our bathrooms and now both bathrooms are down. January 5, 2010, 1:21 pm I was raped by the drug taskforce—anally. I GOT RAN OVER BY TRIMET. It drove over the sidewalk and ran me over. I am CRIPPLED now! Are you FUCKING happy?! Your fuckin' Sam Adams—little faggot bastard—is a FAKE. And your goddamned election office is FAKE and shit! I am so pissed, I have no recourse except to OPEN FIRE!! January 13, 2010, 10:12 am Yeah: I think the overtime parking tickets downtown are outrageous. Since you have extended your parking meter hours—and on Sunday—I just made up my mind, I boycott downtown. There are plenty of other pla ces to shop: out in the suburbs—out of the city limits of Portland, even. So, okay, thanks for nothing. Oh, by the way, Lars Larson, 750 KXL: He thinks so, too. So, digest that. February 3, 2010, 11:27 am Well, hello liar: This is your constituent. Say, Sam, I was reading that the states of Oregon and Washington have spent $72 million to figure out how to build a bridge—and you hayseeds can't even get that done. Friday, February 4, 2010, 10:12 am I would like to suggest to you that there are much, much, much, much, much, much, much, much more important things that need to be dealt with for our citizens in Portland than bicycle issues. Do not force this onto people. People[...] Download Episode 12 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 01 Oct 2010 15:40:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
It's that time of the week for you to play catch-up. Here's this week's episode of the Mercury Music Hour, which you might have missed on the radio. (The Mercury Music Hour broadcasts at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday every single week on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm.) Don't worry. It's available for you right here, right now.
LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 12
Playlist after the jump! A brand new episode of the Mercury Music Hour airs next week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12 noon on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm.
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144413/mmhlogo.jpg
Download Episode 10 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 17 Sep 2010 14:02:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Well, well, well. Look who's back for more. It's Episode 10 of the Mercury Music Hour, and this might be the rarest episode yet, since it missed at least one of its broadcast slots on the radio this week. (We blame our robot overlords.) When/where does it broadcast? Why, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12 noon on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm. Or, listen to this past week's episode right now on your computer.
LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 10
Playlist after the jump!
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144415/mmhlogo.jpg
Download Episode 9 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 10 Sep 2010 13:45:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Since time immemorial (translation: nine weeks ago), the Mercury Music Hour has brought families and companions together with one hour of local music, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the noon hour. This show is nothing less than a pillar of our society, which can be found on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm. The latest episode—Episode IX (Roman numerals convey the sheer import of this groundbreaking program)—can be heard right now, for your pleasure and education. Download now, and be part of an American institution.LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 9
The playlist appears after the jump. Good day, and godspeed.
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Download Episode 8 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 03 Sep 2010 14:00:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Hey, jerk! Betcha didn't know that the Mercury Music Hour broadcasts at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday every single week on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm. And guess what! You missed this week's episode. Ha ha! Na na boo boo.Okay, okay. Stop crying! Crybaby. You're just gonna... no, seriously. Stop it! Calm down. Nooooo, don't tell mom! You're such a baby. Oh my god I hate you! Fiiiine. Here you go. Ugh! Download episode 8, but just be quiet already! Jeeez.
LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 8
Playlist after the jump! And will you cut it out already? A brand new episode of the Mercury Music Hour airs next week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12 noon on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm. And I swear to god, you're totally adopted.
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144417/mmhlogo.jpg
Download Episode 6 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 20 Aug 2010 14:00:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Things you can do today that you couldn't do yesterday!
1) Wish Al Roker, Robert Plant, and Fred Durst a happy birthday.2) Download Episode 6 of the Mercury Music Hour!
The Mercury Music Hour broadcasts at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday every single week on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm. Three chances per week, people. But if you just can't swing that, we've got this past week's episode available for you now.
LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 6
Playlist after the jump! And listen to the brand new Episode 7 of the Mercury Music hour next week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12 noon on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm.
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144418/mmhlogo.jpg
No "Book-Shelving Monkeys"No "Book-Shelving Monkeys"Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:00:00 -0700
A Q&A with the Powell's union rep (and sci-fi room worker) who looks back on 10 years of union book slinging. by Sarah MirkTHE 400 UNION WORKERS who staff Portland landmark Powell's Books are celebrating their union's 10th anniversary with a bang. On Friday, August 27, Powell's employee bands will play at "Rock Out to Walk Out," a concert raising money for a strike fund. Although ILWU Local 5 (yes, they really are in the longshoremen's and warehouse union) isn't currently planning a strike, negotiations on a new contract start next summer. And, as Ryan Van Winkle, union board president (and sci-fi room worker) explains, it pays to be ready.
MERCURY: As a union rep, how do you feel about working at Powell's?
RYAN VAN WINKLE: I was born in Oregon, and my family moved to Beaverton in 1987, when I was in the seventh grade. I pretty much lived at the Beaverton Powell's. I was just an avid reader. When I got a job at Powell's, it was just awesome.
What are the big issues you guys in the union deal with? What spurred the union to form in the first place?
The biggest issues really boil down to trying to protect our health care. Also, there had been a wage freeze for the two years before I started, so no one was getting raises even though the company appeared to be doing very well. People also felt like they had no control at work, like they went from being booksellers intimately involved with the bookselling process to sort of [being] "shelving monkeys." As Powell's got bigger and bigger, it started to step further and further away from a mom-and-pop operation to a much more corporate-minded organization.
What have negotiations been like in the past?
I think Powell's as an organization has gotten more comfortable with dealing with Local 5, and we've gotten savvier about how to deal with the company. Contention isn't fun; we don't get a kick out of it. Everyone who works at Powell's more than just likes working there, we're really committed to seeing the company succeed and thrive. Unrest is something we'd like to avoid.
So how's business? Do you think negotiations next year will be rough?
We don't get straight numbers from the company, that's their information that they don't share with anyone. I just have my experience from the store, and this month it's been super crazy. Super busy. But Powell's is a unique entity in the book biz. There's not really anything like it anywhere. So comparing Powell's to the book industry is sort of an apples-to-oranges comparison.
Does the staff talk about what's going on with the book business? Do you worry you might be out of a job in the near future?
It's something we talk about all the time. I don't know if we see people buying fewer books, but I think people might be becoming savvier about what they buy. The vast majority of books that have ever been written are out of print and are only available in a hard-copy form. So for the foreseeable future, I think we're going to be in a good place. There's still going to be a need for a bookstore.
Ryan Van Winkle and friends. Download Episode 5 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 13 Aug 2010 14:00:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Guess what! Episode 5 of the Mercury Music Hour aired this week! We played a whole hour of Portland music! It was on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm. Babies laughed, mothers cried tears of joy, and for 60 measly minutes, the world was a slightly better place.
You probably didn't hear it, though. Not to worry! We've got it right here for you. So clickety-click, and listen away.
LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 5
Playlist after the jump! You can hear new episodes of the Mercury Music hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12 noon on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm.
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144419/mmhlogo.jpg
Download Episode 4 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 06 Aug 2010 15:14:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Well, hello. Episode 4 of the Mercury Music Hour aired this week on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm. If you snoozed on it, or if you just want to listen to it again, we've got it here for you—a whole hour of local music. Enjoy.
LISTEN:(embed)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 4
Playlist after the jump! Remember, you can hear new episodes of the Mercury Music hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12 noon on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm.
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144420/mmhlogo.jpg
Download Episode 2 of the Mercury Music HourFri, 23 Jul 2010 14:00:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
If you missed this week's episode of the Mercury Music Hour (broadcasting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon, on 910 AM, on HD radio at 94.7 Too, and streaming online at 947.fm), not to fear! You can check out episode 2 of the Mercury Music Hour right here on End Hits. After all, it's better to be late to the party than to miss it altogether. Listen to it below, or download it and save it for later. Do whatever you want with it. We don't care.LISTEN:(object)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 2
Playlist after the jump!
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144422/mmhlogo.jpg
Download Episode 1 of the Mercury Music HourMon, 19 Jul 2010 12:43:00 -0700
by Ned Lannamann(image)
Right now most of you are probably busy listening to Episode 2 of the Mercury Music Hour, but if you just can't get enough—or if you're too poor to afford expensive AM radio technology—we've got the first episode available to you now. Listen to last week's show right here on the End Hits, or download it in MP3 format and save it for later.Today's a Monday, but going forward we'll be uploading each week's episode on Friday afternoon, so for instance you can get our brand new Episode 2 on End Hits this Friday. We understand if you can't wait that long—that's why you need to crank up that AM radio every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon, or stream it over on 947.fm.
LISTEN:(object)The Mercury Music Hour: Episode 1
Playlist after the jump.
Media Files:http://www.portlandmercury.com/media/content/3144423/mmhlogo.jpg
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