WAX no more

Originally uploaded by dieselboii.

This is what happens when one doesn’t think through the business plan. Since opening, WAX had problems. The owners had a great idea. A cafe that would host hip hop events on a local level. It also catered to the youth of our town, trying to offer an alternative. Well, it didn’t work. Almost immediately after opening less then a year ago, neighbors began complaining about excessive late night noise, car breakins, trash and general bad neighborliness. One weekend, an event got out of hand and a mini riot ensued with more police than a gang shooting.

Recently, they attempted to get a liquor license. I can only assume it wasn’t aquired.

I thought they had a great idea, yet due to poor planning and a blind eye toward what “could be,” the owners made a mistake that couldn’t be undone and eventually ended up in thier demise.

Sent from my phone, probably while hiding from the man.

We’ve got a huge array of police cruisers camped out here in NE PDX – and they’ve been here for hours. Both Broadway and Weidler are shut down between 30th (via heresay) and 16th Avenues, with traffic diverted to side streets.

It’s been that way since 8:35 am – when we emerged from our house on the way to a soccer game – and things here are still shut down as of 12:33 pm (we had to walk back home from a few blocks away due to traffic jams on our street.) In fact, there’s now yellow tape blocking off the intersection of 21st and Broadway, and we spotted at least one sniper in camoflage on that corner earlier this morning.

The police officer I corralled this morning on a side street couldn’t tell me about bus re-routing (and Tri-Met’s website still doesn’t have any information), and would only say that there’d been a robbery, gunshots fired, and a suspect(s?) on the loose as of approximately 7:30 am.

A quick scan of local news websites reveals nothing – and I’m coming up empty when listening to OregonLive’s police scanner as well. My kid tried flipping through local channels, to no avail.

So – should we be evacuating? Staying behind closed, locked doors? Dunno…

Anybody know what’s going on….?

Update – 1:05 pm: Walked down to find the same nice police officer blocking off a street wth his cruiser. He told me that the burglary had taken place in a residence at 20th and Weidler earlier this morning. The burglars were not onsite when police arrived; therefore a search of the area is being conducted on the premise that they might be huddled out laying low somewhere nearby until things calm down (my paraphrase, not his exact words.) Yes, shots were apparently fired – but he didn’t know (or couldn’t tell me) if anyone had been injured.

Businesses along Broadway and Weidler weren’t allowed to open today; if you’re heading this way, I’d call and check first before setting out. And whatever you do – avoid this area! My street’s clogged with cars trying to get through both ways – most of these streets are jammed with onstreet parking so two-way traffic’s nearly impossible on a good day, let alone right now.

I still see nothing on any news sites – do local radio stations have any info? (I can’t get AM radio here – long story, don’t ask – so haven’t been able to check our local radio news outlets.) The officer did discreetly roll his eyes when I told him there was no information to be found anywhere about what was going on – including Tri-Met and/or traffic re-routing….

But wait…there’s more!

The blockade was lifted shortly after 1 pm, and buses seem to be resuming a normal schedule (one driver of the #9 bus thought the street was blocked off for filming, apparently…!) Still don’t have any specifics; AM news seems to be focused on football instead…

Guest commentator Samuel Metz mounts a pretty compelling argument (says this public school parent, anyway) in this op-ed in Friday’s Tribune:

Oregon already depends more on its state income tax than any other state does on any other single tax. Not a good source of money for our schools.
A sales tax is the least onerous answer. Citizens for Oregonís Future ó a nonpartisan coalition that is working to raise the level of public discussion on taxes and budgets in Oregon ó with data from the Legislative Revenue Office, estimates that a limited sales tax exempting services, shelter, food, health care, medicines and utilities would generate $1.2 billion every two years per 1 percent tax (www.fororegon.org).
A 2 percent sales tax would increase our public school revenue by 50 percent over its current budget, an amazing sum that could make excellent schools a reality in every district in Oregon.

Read the article – then come back here and voice your opinion. I keep hearing that Oregon will never go for a sales tax (and I know Isaac, for one, doesn’t think it’s a good idea from a logistical standpoint, if nothing else) – but until someone can tell me how we plan to diversify or reform our state revenue base, I don’t want to rule it out based on prophecy. And I firmly believe we’ve got to look seriously at every possible avenue to better fund our schools.

So…tell me why this won’t work, will you? Or come up with your own solution. Just don’t try to tell me the status quo is where it’s at…

I try to keep up on the local media scene – but there are days when I find myself struggling through a clot of backed up newspapers (it’s 4 pm and I’ve yet to touch the Friday O, for example.) As a result, though, it’s interesting to note themes that you’d not normally pick up on when you’re regularly moving through the roughage.

What snagged my attention today? The City of Portland’s peculiar spending and/or savings habits. Consider these snippets from recent news stories:

• An audit of Marge Kafoury’s expense reports reveals that the city believes that 15% is a reasonable gratuity for restaurant and other service workers. Does anyone still tip merely 15% (for good service, of course) any more? (from Thursday’s Metro section in the O)
• A city-sponsored and organized event on “ways children and their parents can prepare for emergencies” takes place at OMSI this weekend. But what’s this? Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors – but free for those under 13, thank goodness. (from Friday’s PDX Update in the Trib – not online)
• But we managed to find over a million yesterday to cough up for a park site in the SoWhat (tm Jack Bog) district. This, from Parks Commissioner Dan Saltzman: “It’s a good deal, and we should be celebrating this acquisition.” (also from Thursday Metro)

Celebrate? Not without first getting a cover charge from our seniors, I guess – and don’t forget to undertip your waitron!

Updated 7:30 pm Friday: I can’t help but add this last bit, taken from the Friday Metro section (City’s thin wallet stalls school plans at New Columbia. Capsule version: PPS and the Housing Authority are putting together a 16.6 million dollar package to rebuild Ball School (with private involvement & federal money) & asked the city for a million dollars. No can do, it seems:

“But after painful budget cuts earlier this year, the city doesn’t have $1 million to hand over, said Nancy Hamilton, chief of staff for Mayor Tom Potter.

“It’s a really difficult time to ask the city for money. We are under extraordinary pressure to cut,” she said.”

I hardly need to add a snarky comment, do I?

Our extended family in Houston spent some time bracing for Rita, and some of it is fascinating to read.

While we’re scoping other cities, Nawlins is still recovering and that’s a blog with some interesting posts right now.

As a former serious (and now slightly less serious) comic nerd, I was very saddened to read his account as well as see what it was like before and after. Wow.

My thoughts are with anyone who’s dealing with catastrophic weather right now. Not that it helps much, really, it isn’t a direct action, but sometimes it’s just comforting to know someone someplace else gives a good goddamn about you.

HairM is the proverbial shit. I’m not kidding. Located down on 1st, a few blocks away from Pioneer, HairM is snazzy snazzy snazzy. Offering free cigars, beer and soda (for me), HairM (which is actually a pun on harem) is a full-service (har, har) salon for men. They do everything from haircuts to massages to waxing to tweezing, and everything in between and above.
The “King’s Cut” is thirty five clams, and gets you a hot-towel facial, scalp massage and shampoo.

And you know why I really love this place? They do straight-razor shaves, as well. Not only will they shave your face with a straight razor, they do all of the trimming around the ears and on the back of the neck with a straight razor as well. I’ve found my heaven.

$2.66/Gal- no big change yet

Originally uploaded by dieselboii.

Ran out of gas last night, so wanted to fill up before the big rush. We are regular patrons of 76 on N Interstate and Killingsworth. Lately, one couldn’t get in without lining up and waiting a few minutes. I haven’t seen lines like that since the 70’s and even then, most of those are from pictures. Luckily, we got a VW with the gas cap on the passenger side. That usually is the lane with fewer cars.

Have a good friday.

Sent from my phone, probably while hiding from the man.

Sunset NoPo

Originally uploaded by dieselboi.

wow, tonight’s sunset rivaled that of the one in July when we had the thunderstorms. i wonder if Rita is affecting our skies? i love north portland sunsets as we live up above the river, on a ridge. between us and the sea is the west hills (and some other stuff.) YEs, the west hills make the sunset just amazing. it provides the contrast and a place for the sun to go hide before it puts on it’s nighty and takes a rest.
good night sunny mc sun sun.

oh, and welcome to Autumn. I saw some of my first turning trees yesterday on the waterfront. i’m soooooo looking forward to the Autumn colors and the need to wear sweaters.

Another photo:

Something afoot at circle k

Originally uploaded by dieselboii.

There is some activity downtown as i write this. At the east end of pio squaream there are 6 police cars and a number of police officers. Same on the broadway side. There are a number of officers on yamhill by the bear and salmon fountains. Be carful in this area, not sure what’s up.

Sent from my phone, probably while hiding from the man.

I have been known, from time to time, to express my displeasure with-
who am I kidding? I’m a bitcher. I piss and moan and complain about all manner of things. Often. Loudly. Extensively.

And since today I feel like it, here’s a list of things I really like. Some of them are Portlandy and some of them are not. Enjoy.

In no particular order…
(more…)