The Gender Gap on Portland Attitudes

“Women are from Portland, men are from Oklahoma City,” writes economist Joe Cortright, who crunched data on attitudes toward the 50 largest U.S. cities. Portland's net favorability rating is 30 points higher with women than it is with men. Oklahoma City represents the opposite end, with a net favorability rating that’s 7 points higher with men than women. [City Observatory]

$3K Fine for Leader of Portland Psychedelics

The man who led Oregon’s psychedelic legalization effort and ran a training program for psilocybin guides now faces a $3,000 fine for failing to follow the state rules he helped create. Tom Eckert, who is executive director of InnerTrek, failed to stay in the room or have audio and visual contact with a group of people he was guiding. [Willamette Week]

Mayor’s Change on City Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs

On the midweek roundup, Mayor Keith Willson last week ordered changes in city policy related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Wilson says the change is necessary to align with Trump administration mandates — a decision criticized by City Councilor Loretta Smith. The city has $349 million in federal grants — the vast majority of which support transportation and housing. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Eastern Oregon has some of the world’s darkest skies. But closer to Portland, the skies can still offer some good star gazing. In time for the annual Perseid meteor shower, which peaks Aug. 12, here are some tips on where to watch the night sky, thanks to Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding.

Night Sky Events

Here are a few nearby events to get your started:

Aug. 12 | OMSI Star Parties: Perseid Meteor Shower Watch | L.L. Stub Stewart State Park or Rooster Rock State Park

Aug. 17 | Wild Solitude Guiding: Silent Night Walk | Sandy, Ore.

Sept. 13 | OMSI Star Parties: Equinox Celebration | L.L. Stub Stewart State Park

Meteor Shower Destinations

If you have time to make a longer trip, here are some other places to see the meteor shower — including some of Oregon's internationally recognized DarkSky Places:

Oregon has more DarkSky designations than Washington. “ But that little pocket around Mount Adams, especially towards the north side of Mount Adams, there's literally nothing up there,” says Emily.

The little ghost town has become a dark sky sanctuary. Bonus: It’s on the way to the Painted Hills or the John Day fossil beds.

“It’s a destination in its own right,” says Emily, but it also has the official DarkSky designation. “ That is a really cool place to go if you have time to go all the way down south,” she adds.

Tips for Watching the Meteor Shower

Plan to go to sleep early and get up early — at 3 a.m.

Bring something so you can lie down, like a lounge chair. (You don’t want to strain your neck getting a long look at the sky.)

Or better yet, just camp outside under the stars, set your alarm for the wee hours of the morning, and stay all cozied up as you gaze from your bed.

🎵 Music on Main: BrassRoots Movement | Downtown

😆 Love Isn't Blind Comedy Dating Show | Helium Comedy Club

🎥 Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology | OMSI

🌲 Forest Storytime | World Forestry Center

💚 City Cast Portland Night at Portland Pickles | Walker Stadium (Lents Park)

🎬 Cape Fear in 35mm | Hollywood Theatre

🍳 Summer in the Mediterranean Cooking Series | Sellwood Community House

🧺 Inside Out 2 | Wilshire Park

🖼️ Free First Thursday | Portland Art Museum

🎨 First Thursday Street Gallery | Pearl District

🎥 Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology | OMSI

🔴 The chairman of the High School Republican National Federation lives in Happy Valley — and is advocating for the United States to lower the voting age to 16, like the U.K. recently did. David Sharyan, 17, who plans to run for Congress someday, pays taxes — and wants less of them.