PORTLAND DRIZZLE

Wednesday what can I say. You’ll have a delightfully sunny day with a high of 83. You will stop dwelling on the past and be absolutely present. Tonight oughtta be gooooood with Andrea Bocelli at the Moda and the Timbers hosting St. Louis City FC. Yesterday we had the crows returning, but there’s another beloved bird come to see us once again- Vaux’s swifts. Get your Goodr’s on and enjoy it because the sun isn’t done with us yet.

Thousands of Vaux's swifts are swirling through Portland on their fall migration, and this year they're skipping their old stop. For decades, crowds packed Chapman Elementary each September to watch the birds pour into its chimney at dusk, but the swifts abandoned that spot in 2024. Neighbors near Northeast Fremont Street and 72nd Avenue caught a smaller roost pouring into a church chimney instead. The Bird Alliance says no swifts have returned to Chapman so far this year. KATU

Bird Alliance of Oregon wrote more here on Facebook where they mention that the swifts are roosting in several different chimneys throughout town. They ask that we do not overwhelm smaller neighborhoods with large crowds.

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A new survey has bad news for Portland's shiny new form of government: only 22% of voters think it's working, while nearly 40% say it isn't. The city tripled its council and added districts last year hoping neighbors would feel more heard. Instead, fewer people feel represented than a year ago, and researchers blame confusion: councilors don't control city bureaus like before. Still, 63% of Portlanders say they're happy living here, ticking up slightly from last year.OPB

Seven years after budget cuts padlocked the doors, Laurelhurst Park's historic dance studio is coming back to life. Sellwood Community House struck a deal with the city to lease the 1920s Tudor building for one dollar a year, covering the cost of restoring it themselves. City tax dollars won't foot the bill. Expect dance, tumbling, tai chi, art classes and more once things get rolling. The grand reopening celebration is set for September 26th. KBND

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On this day in 1942, a Japanese floatplane bombed near Brookings, OR, the only aerial attack on the mainland U.S. in WWII. Wet weather kept it from catching fire.

Wednesday, Sept 9

Bluegrass Jam at Ladd's Circle | Ladd Circle Park 6pm
Portland Timbers vs. St. Louis City SC | Providence Park
Andrea Bocelli: Romanza | Moda Center
Altın Gün | Revolution Hall
Kenton Farmers Market | Kenton Neighborhood

Drizzle reader B Hamon sent me this message about skunks yesterday

“A side note about skunks: At this time of year, some homeowners may see a bunch of small holes in their lawn, 1-2" wide at most, with no mounding and no visible tunneling network. These are generally caused by -- yup -- skunks, and also by voles and bluejays digging for grubs to fatten up for the winter. If you have a LOT of holes, you can pour a bit of grass seed and soil into them and gently tamp down. Cheers!”

by Michael Simpson Contact: [email protected]