🛣️ A plan to toll commuters for Intel and Nike

Forged House Deeds Are on the Rise

A thief allegedly took ownership of a North Portland home with faked signatures for the owner and notary on property records. “It’s common for Portland thieves to steal cash, catalytic converters, and cars. Home theft? That’s a new one for local officials,” Willamette Week reports. Multnomah County officials said they’d never seen a fraudulent sale till last summer, and now they’ve seen a few. [Willamette Week]

Tolls Are Dead! Long Live Tolls?

Gov. Tina Kotek officially canceled plans for tolling Portland-area interstates. But now the regional government Metro and Washington County cities are looking at tolling Highways 26 and 217, in order to alleviate congestion. [KGW]

Zenith Energy’s Lobbying Violation

In 2022, Texas-based Zenith Energy won approval to continue operating in Portland. But Zenith broke city rules by failing to register as a lobbying entity. The first offense for the fossil fuel company resulted in a warning, rather than a fine. But environmental advocates will use this violation as evidence in their effort to get state and county officials to move against the company’s planned expansion. [Portland Mercury]

Will Live Nation Take Over Portland?

Live Nation has started hosting concerts at Providence Park and is eyeing a new venue on the eastside too. MusicPortland board member Jamie Dunphy explains why so many people in the local music scene are saying that Live Nation venues could damage Portland’s beloved music scene. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

We ran a segment recently on how to make friends in town, and I asked for your ideas. We got an outpouring, which I’m printing here for anyone who is new to Portland or looking for new friends:

• “I met a good friend just after moving here at The Mud Room North, a pottery studio that offers classes for complete novices, like me. I took a 2 day per week course for 5 weeks and really think the longevity of showing up gave me some time to get to know people better before being more vulnerable and asking them to hang outside the class.” — Kayla
• “I moved to Portland at age 68 after [living on the] East Coast. The Northeast Community Center in Hollywood is consistently friendly, and I've made lots of friends there. An 8:45 a.m. daily water aquatics class with a curated playlist sets the mood. Everyone is friendly. There's a monthly breakfast. I really don't know anywhere else I could have found this welcoming spirit.” — Ellen L.W.
• “I have gone to Skip The Small Talk twice since moving here a year ago and have made meaningful connections both times! Two people turned into true friendships and the event itself is a lovely way to connect.” — Jessica
• “I have thankfully been able to meet some new friends at a few different running groups. I’ve been going to the new ON store’s run club and it’s nice to be surrounded by a sense of community who’s into the same thing.” — Alex
• “Sounds cliché but I found the best way to make friends as an adult is through hobbies and activities that get me out of the house: Team sports, martial arts, spiritual courses, art classes, fitness classes, etc. I prioritize spending my money on local in-person events that meet regularly rather than doing things online, and that gets me in the door to meeting some cool people.” — Eli E.

The Mega-Corporation Eyeing Portland’s Independent Music Scene

Live Nation Entertainment recently obtained an exclusive contract to host live performances at Providence Park, and is now in talks with a local developer for a massive music venue on the Willamette’s east bank, with capacity for 3,000 people. Though a waterfront music venue might sound amazing, MusicPortland board member Jamie Dunphy explains why so many people in the local music scene are saying that Live Nation venues could damage Portland’s beloved music scene.