Why Oregon is a potato state 🥔

Powell’s Workers Approve Strike

Powell’s workers voted to authorize a strike but aren’t asking for customers to boycott the bookstore. Workers, who have been represented by a union since 2000, will make the call about whether to strike after the next bargaining session at the end of the month. [Portland Mercury]

Old Town Affordable Housing Floated

A developer has released renderings for what could (in some alternate reality) become Portland’s largest affordable housing complex: The building proposed for Old Town would be 30 stories (just 12 shorter than Big Pink) and include 728 units of housing for renters making 60% of the area’s median family income, or roughly $47,000 for a single person. One major obstacle to bringing this project to fruition is that the maximum height allowed by city zoning for the Old Town land is six or seven stories (23 lower than proposed). [Portland Business Journal 🔒 via KGW]

Intel Plans to Issue Stocks to Employees

In a sign that the company’s economic fortunes are on the upswing, Intel has told employees that it will issue them stocks at year end. That’s after Intel cut pay last year, including a 25% cut for the CEO. (It’s not clear if the CEO will receive stocks as part of this program.) [Oregonian 🔒]

Portlanders’ Biggest Concerns

A new survey shows that Portlanders’ feelings about the city and their biggest concerns depend, in part, on where they live. Catch up on that and other City Hall news on the weekly round-up. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

🐧 Zoo Nights: Ural Thomas and the Pain | Friday | 6:30 p.m.

The 82-year-old Portland singer was part of the original soul era and continues to excite fans. [$24, Washington Park]

🌳 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks | Friday | All Day

Visit Fort Vancouver for free — or any other National Parks or historic site. [Free, Vancouver]

🎬 ‘Shoplifters’ | Friday | 7 p.m.

The 2018 Japanese film on a family of petty thieves has won international recognition and is a Clinton Street Theater favorite — one of the best films of this century, in their view. [$8, Southeast Clinton Street]

⚽ USA Women's Soccer Watch Party & 5K Run | Saturday | Midnight

Kickoff is at 2 a.m., but join two hours in advance for a run that’s equivalent to how far the athletes run in a game. [Free, Sullivan’s Gulch]

• Related: Why The Sports Bra, the country’s only women’s-sports bar, opened in Portland. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

💖 Hello Kitty Cafe Truck | Saturday | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

It’s the one Portland area stop for the truck. Come for the “supercute treats and merch” while supplies last. [Free, Tigard]

🖼️ St. Johns Art Walk | Saturday | 1 - 6 p.m.

There’ll be nine different stops along North Lombard with displays from dozens of artists. [Free, St. Johns]

🎨 Art Battle Portland | Saturday | 8:30 p.m.

It’s the Portland “Spraypaint Showdown,” where the audience will pick the champion artist. [$17.86, Central Eastside]

🇮🇳 India Festival | Saturday | 11 - 8:30 p.m.

Check out music, dance, fashion, art, and foods at this annual summer festival. [Free, Downtown]

💃 I’m the Mary Dance Party | Saturday | 6 p.m.

Inspired by the comedy “Romy and Michele's High School Reunion,” bring your yearbook photo to prove you’ve changed the most since high school. Free for those who take the Pedalpalooza ride on the same theme. [$10+, Buckman]

🪩 Sundaze with Heartbeat Silent Disco | Sunday | 6 - 9 p.m.

Dance to one of three channels — “bass music, house music, or funky stuff.” The weekly Sunday night dance party will run through the end of September. [$11.26, Laurelhurst]

A Crime Deterrent Program That Works, Portlanders’ Biggest Concerns, and 1-800-BOARDUP’s Scam

This week’s round-up of the news discusses the city’s recently launched auto and retail theft task force, a Portland resident survey that’s tracked our most common concerns, and a city contractor that’s been overcharging victims of theft and vandalism. Joining host Claudia Meza are the Oregonian’s city hall reporter, Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, and City Cast Portland lead producer, John Notarianni.