🐘Saturday finally, gah! Mostly cloudy and mild Saturday, topping out around 58°F. On the ground: thousands expected for No Kings rallies across the metro, disaster at Tom’s Restaurant, and threats at a mosque. If you are going to protest today, bring water and goggles. Stay safe and choose peace and send me your best pics!
🚨 THE NEWS
Tom's Restaurant is down — but not out
A late-Wednesday kitchen fire dealt a blow to one of Southeast Portland's most beloved institutions. Portland Fire & Rescue responded to Tom's Restaurant and Bar on SE Division Street around 11 p.m. after a fire spread from the grill up to the roof. Crews contained the flames quickly, and no injuries were reported. The bar area reopened shortly after, but the main restaurant will stay closed until kitchen repairs are complete. The cause remains under investigation. Tom's opened in 1975 under founder Tom Belesiu, who passed away last year. His family says they're determined to rebuild. Even Senator Ron Wyden weighed in, posting online that he can't wait to return for "a hardy breakfast."
NYT to Portland: You're weird, but in a good way
The New York Times came bearing good tidings this week. Writer Melissa Locker profiled Portland for the paper's "Living In" column, declaring the city "weird but good" after years of rough national press. The piece noted Portland's rocky stretch — from the 2020 protests to recent ICE enforcement — but highlighted the city's resilience, quoting Frances May owner Pamela Baker-Miller: "Portland is a really special place to live, and it's a really amazing place to start a business." Real estate agent Marisa Swenson told the paper the city is "rebuilding." The article spotlighted dozens of local restaurants, bars, and shops. Local business owners say the city's actual reality outpaces its reputation — and honestly, they're not wrong.
Man threatens morning prayers at NE Portland mosque
On Wednesday morning, Portland police were dispatched to the Abu-Bakar Islamic Center near Northeast 80th and Burnside after a man entered during the final minutes of dawn prayers and shouted threatening remarks at the congregation. Witnesses say the man — wearing a hoodie, gloves, and a prayer cap — entered, uttered "Allahu Akbar," then told congregants people were going to die, before running out and later trying to re-enter the building. No one was hurt, but mosque leadership said members were left shaken. Police are investigating it as a possible bias incident and have directed additional patrols to the area. Police were unable to locate the suspect.
🥎 OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT
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🥽 PREPARING FOR AND DEALING WITH TEAR GAS
Before you go Wear goggles — not sunglasses. Bring a change of clothes in a bag. Don't wear contact lenses; they trap chemicals against your eye. Wear natural fibers (synthetics absorb gas). Write a lawyer's number on your arm in permanent marker: 503-295-6400 (Oregon Justice Resource Center).
If you get gassed Move upwind and uphill immediately. Don't rub your eyes — it makes it worse. Flush with large amounts of water or saline for at least 10–15 minutes. Milk and Maalox mixed 50/50 is the classic Portland remedy; it helps but isn't magic. Remove and bag contaminated clothing before getting in your car or going home.
If you can't breathe Tear gas can trigger asthma and serious respiratory distress. Get away from the cloud, get low, breathe through a wet cloth if you have one. If symptoms don't pass quickly, get medical attention. Street medics are usually on site at organized protests — look for people in green crosses.
What not to do Don't pick up canisters with bare hands — they're hot and still releasing gas. Don't go into enclosed spaces to escape it; you'll concentrate your exposure.
More info here at Physicians for Human Rights
📚 ON THIS DAY
On March 28, 1851, the Oregon Statesman published its first issue in Oregon City — the Pacific Northwest's first newspaper of record, giving a young territory a public voice for the first time.
🥳 UPCOMING EVENTS
🌧️ Well…
It's the weekend Portland was born to have — protests and Ira Glass. Stay hydrated, stay vaxxed, stay weird. by Michael Simpson Contact: [email protected]