🐶 Portland animal shelter at capacity

Influx of Rescue Dogs

As of Friday, Multnomah County’s animal shelter was nearing capacity for the first time since 2023. The county has lowered the fee for adopting a dog to $25 — for the rest of February. [Oregonian]

Closure of the Iconic Bob’s Red Mill Cafe

Crowds waited in line for a last visit to the Bob’s Red Mill café, which closed its doors on Sunday. The retail outlet will close on Feb. 17. But you’ll still be able to find the company’s products at a grocery store near you; the factory is not affected by these cuts. [Oregonian]

Rep. Bonamici Blocked From U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) was among the members of Congress blocked from entering the U.S. Department of Education last week when they tried to get a meeting with the agency director. It’s not clear what legal basis the administration has for using Homeland Security guards to block congressional visits. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]

Summer Camping and Hiking

February is a great time to start planning for the summer hiking and camping season. Here’s how to prepare by setting goals for what you want to accomplish outdoors, figuring out what permits and campgrounds to reserve, and getting your winter body ready. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

We love our city, but sometimes it’s time to gripe about the things that don’t work — or are just plain awful.

So what’s most annoying about Portland right now?

Comedian Jay Flewelling, who is a born-and-raised Oregonian and a vegetarian, recently offered his grumpiest gripes on the City Cast Portland podcast.

Here are some of them:

The Arts Tax

“ Communication on the Portland art tax — It's not enough. Yes, I voted for it. I wanted it. I want art. I support art. But good God, if you miss it, it has savage repercussions and you cannot plead with them. You're like, ‘I want to pay this 35 dollars. Please let me.’ [They say] like, 'Well, we sent a carrier pigeon 16 years ago. You should have known.’ And also the website is all wackadoodle. I accidentally paid for the future year, and then got charged for the current year and I was like, ‘Well, why would I pay for the future year?’”

• Reminder: Pay your arts tax by April 16.

Voodoo Doughnuts

“Voodoo Doughnuts, of course, is completely overrated. Why does it represent us? I don't need dried-out cereal cutting up the roof of my mouth.”

In-N-Out Burger

“We don't need an In-N-Out Burger coming up here. We do not need that. There is no vegetarian option. There's lines out the yin yang. I mean, there’s a grilled cheese sandwich [and fries].

“We need Burgerville going south. That's what we need. Burgerville pioneered a garden burger and then just invented their own plant-based burger, which is pretty good.

“Does In-N-Out have a poster of where these onions come from? Do I know the farmer where this food is coming from? I don't. Do I do that at Burgerville? Yes, I do. So we need our culture going south, and no In-N-Out coming north.”

What’s bugging you most about Portland right? Share your gripes.