October 2009

Tea Party Express hits Portland

Submitted by Thom Jensen on Fri, 2009-10-30 13:57

A few hundred people packed a Portland parking lot Oct. 30 to protest taxes and what organizers say are socialist policies of in the United States government.

Many of the attendees carried signs speaking out against the Obama Administration. This was just one of the 38 stops across the country for The Tea Party Express.

A small counter demonstration was held across the street on Southeast Sandy Blvd.

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Politics

Firefighters quickly extinguish fire at Southeast Portland building

Submitted by Melanie Wingo on Fri, 2009-10-30 11:34

Portland firefighters put out a commercial fire in Southeast Portland.

Firefighters were on the scene at approximately 5 a.m. trying to figure out what sparked a fire at on the second floor at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) building on SE 26th and Powell.

No one was in the building at the time of the fire, which is still under investigation. Firefighters put out the flames relatively quickly.

"While this is a shock, we're thankful that no one was hurt," said Local 49 President Meg Niemi. "At the moment, we are optimistic that no major damage seems to have occurred outside of the main lobby. We hope to resume work in the building early next week."

The building is the headquarters of SEIU Local 49, which represents more than 7,000 health care and property service workers in Oregon and Southwest Washington. SEIU is the nation’s largest health care union.

Approximately 30 employees work in the building.

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News

Sears tries to push Black Friday into October

Submitted by Associated Press on Fri, 2009-10-30 08:00

By ASHLEY M. HEHER AP Retail Writer

It may not be Halloween yet, but Sears is taking the Christmas creep one step further.

The department store says it will offer what it calls "Black Friday doorbuster" deals beginning this Friday, nearly a month before the traditional day-after-Thanksgiving sales.

Sears says the offers will rotate each week and be available 7 a.m.- noon each Saturday. However, it's kicking off the effort with a special markdown this Friday.

The day after Thanksgiving is dubbed Black Friday because it often was the day when shoppers helped stores break into profitability for the full year.

Experts say Sears' decision to start the sales nearly a month in advance shows just how worried retailers are about what's expected to be a grim holiday season.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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47,000 H1N1 vaccine doses coming next week

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Thu, 2009-10-29 13:29

Here's the latest info from the Northwest Regional Flu Web Site...

Vaccine:

Health officials in the Portland area learned Wednesday that 47,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine will be arriving in the region next week, roughly two to three times the size of recent weekly shipments.

About 42,500 of the doses expected next week will be injectable vaccine rather than the FluMist nasal spray. FluMist is only recommended for healthy people age 2 to 49 who are not pregnant; injectable vaccine can be administered to anyone older than 6 months.

The H1N1 vaccine in general remains in short supply nationwide because production of the vaccine is behind schedule.

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Health

City approves agreements for facility to house historic locomotives

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Wed, 2009-10-28 13:30

This is a press release courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation

This morning, Portland City Council approved three agreements that will enable the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF) to move forward with plans for a new facility for the restoration and management of three historic steam locomotives.

The agreements include approval of a loan of up to $1 million to assist ORHF in the purchase of land in the OMSI district of inner Southeast Portland for the new facility, as well as a management agreement with ORHF to operate and manage the locomotives and a formal memorandum of understanding which ensures the public benefit of the locomotives.

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Public Spaces

Police crack down on drug dealers in 'Rocktober' sting

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Wed, 2009-10-28 12:46

Complaints from business owners and residents in some of the city's worst drug areas prompted police to take action and conduct a four-day sting to crack down on the problem.

The sting was dubbed 'Rocktober' and over the four days, officers with the Portland Police Bureau used informants to purchase drugs in Old Town, Waterfront Park and the East Bank Esplanade.

The result was 19 indictment warrants, with more expected.

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News

H1N1 vaccine clinic canceled

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Tue, 2009-10-27 17:01

Due to H1N1 vaccine shortages, the Multnomah County Health Department has canceled the H1N1 vaccination clinic originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Asian Health and Service Center.

For H1N1 resources

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Health

Woodstock Neighborhood Halloween Party

Submitted by Lisa Smith on Tue, 2009-10-27 00:12

The Woodstock Community Center is hosting a safe Halloween party for families. Come celebrate with your wickedly wonderful neighbors on October 31st from 5-7 PM. There will be games, crafts, giveaways, and treats.

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