02.15.2024

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Dig deep + get creative

Help Clackamas County name its tunnel boring machine

clackamas county tunnel boring machine.png

Stand aside, shovel, and leave the digging to the tunnel boring machine. | Photo via Clackamas County

Many gardeners in the Portland area likely have their own names for the subterranean mammals that tunnel through their yard, leaving behind unsightly mounds of soil — maybe “tiny terrors” or something a bit more colorful. “Caddyshack”-inspired vendettas aside, a new mole (of sorts) is in town and it needs an official name.

In the next seven months, Clackamas Water Environment Services will create a 9-ft-wide tunnel stretching half a mile in length to accommodate a new outfall pipeline that will transport treated water from the Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Facility to the Willamette River, just north of the I-205 Abernethy Bridge. A tunnel boring machine, or TBM, will do the literal dirty work and clear the way for the pipeline.

Clackamas County is continuing an international tradition of naming TBMs and has asked community members to help with the task. Anyone can submit a name through Thursday, Feb. 29; the winning name will be placed on the machine and appear in future stories about the project.

If you need a little inspiration, here are some names other cities have chosen in the past:

“Shai-Hulud” — San Jose BART’s TBM, named after the giant worms in the “Dune” book series and films
“MudHoney — Seattle’s Ship Canal Water Quality Project’s TBM, named after a Seattle grunge music band
“Cruella de Drill” — Glasgow’s Resilience Project’s TBM, named in honor of the “101 Dalmatians” movie villain
“Diggy Scardust” — Toronto’s Scarborough Subway Extension’s TBM, named after David Bowie’s stage persona

Asked

What would you name the tunnel boring machine?

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Events

Thursday, Feb. 15

Slamlandia’s Grand Slam | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 7-9 p.m. | Literary Arts, 925 SW Washington St., Portland | Free | Find out which finalist will win the 2024 Grand Slam Champion crown and which poets will go on to compete in future contests.

Friday, Feb. 16

WindSync: “Peter and the Wolf” | Friday, Feb. 16 | 5 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Join Chamber Music Northwest for a family-friendly retelling of Sergei Prokofiev’s story featuring classical music, costumes, and choreography.

Saturday, Feb. 17

Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | Follow lion dancers and a 150-ft dragon through downtown Portland, starting at the Portland Chinatown Museum and ending at the Oregon Historical Society, to celebrate the coming of spring.
Hawks and Hot Chocolate | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Topaz Farm, 17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd., Portland | Free | Start at Topaz Farm to pick up a map, then spend the day visiting Sauvie Island’s birding hotspots where Oregon Bird Alliance naturalists will be on hand to help you spy wild raptors.
Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Washington Square Mall, 9585 SW Washington Square Rd., Portland | Free | See special Year of the Dragon performances from local organizations, listen to stories, and write a wish to hang on the cherry blossom wishing tree.
“Peter Pan” | Saturday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., Portland | $29-$155 | Fly away to Neverland with the Oregon Ballet Theatre’s interpretation of the classic tale featuring punk fashion-inspired costumes — no pixie dust needed.

Sunday, Feb. 18

TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $19.75 | Hear the Christian music singer live in concert alongside fellow artists Cory Asbury, Mac Powell, Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick, and Terrian.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Weather

A winter weather advisory is in place in the Portland metro area through 4 p.m. today, Feb. 15. The National Weather Service forecasts wet snow and strong wind gusts, particularly for areas above 500 ft, as well as those north and east of Interstate 205. (KOIN)

Edu

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero announced an estimated $30 million in cuts to the 2024-25 budget. The district plans to reduce $15 million from central operations and cover the remaining gap by cutting $15 million from PPS’ 86 schools, with teacher-to-student ratios likely increasing in some classrooms. (OPB)

Coming Soon

The 1905 is returning. After closing in November, the North Portland jazz club will reopen under new management within the next four to six weeks. Aside from former owner Aaron Barnes being out of the equation, “not much will change because not much needs to,” according to current leadership. (Portland Mercury)

Transit

Starting Sunday, Feb. 25, TriMet buses will make stops on Lines 12, 57, and 75 every 15 minutes and expand their service hours. Line 77 will also expand to better serve commuters working for large employers in the Troutdale area like FedEx and Amazon. See more details.

Development

One of the Vancouver area’s largest undeveloped properties may soon become a residential, retail, and community hub connecting the city’s historic downtown to its bustling waterfront. The 6.4-acre Waterfront Gateway project includes 400 housing units and public plazas with space for community events. Construction is slated to wrap in 2027. (Portland Business Journal)

Outdoors

By the end of 2025, people in northwest Tigard will have a new park to enjoy. Funded in part by Metro local share funds, the park on Steve Street will offer picnic areas, a loop trail, community garden plots, and natural and traditional play areas.

Cause

The HAKI Community Organization is raising support for a permanent multicultural hub in the West Portland Town Center. Launched in 2018, the organization offers resources and support for immigrants, particularly those who speak Swahili. A Metro grant has helped HAKI host pop-up events in recent years.

Sports

In Tuesday night’s 121-109 loss to the Timberwolves, Trail Blazers fans got an extended look at a backcourt of Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson. Mike Richman, host of the Locked On Blazers podcast, is all for seeing more of this duo on the court — but not for the reasons you might think.

Try This

Want to advertise with us but not sure where to start? Check out our self-service advertising, a quick and easy way to get acquainted with our local audience through Listings, Banner Ads, and Articles. Get started today.

Wellness

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Plan Ahead

🎶 Pardon me, are you Aaron Burr, sir?

Broadway in Portland unveils 2024-25 season lineup

Looking toward the stage from the upper balcony inside Keller Auditorium after a performance.

Keller Auditorium’s future is up in the air as city leaders consider whether to renovate or relocate the venue. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday

Broadway in Portland’s 2024-25 lineup is defying gravity.

The upcoming season of musicals at Keller Auditorium is packed with major hits like “Wicked,” “Hamilton,” and “SIX.” Here’s the schedule so you can start blasting your favorite songs in anticipation.

“Peter Pan” | Aug. 27-Sept. 1, 2024
“Wicked” | Oct. 16-Nov. 3, 2024
“Kimberly Akimbo” | Jan. 14-19, 2025
“Hamilton” | March 4-23, 2025
“Life of Pi” | April 8-13, 2025
“SIX” | April 29-May 4, 2025
“The Book of Mormon” | May 27-June 1, 2025
“MJ The Musical” | July 15-20, 2025
“& Juliet” | Aug. 5-10, 2025

Subscription renewals are available online and new subscriptions will go on sale later this spring. “Single engagement” tickets will be available to buy throughout the season.

The Buy

The Buy 2.15.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Some stylish sunglasses by Rheos or I Am Girl Stephanie, because we’re dreaming about summer and soaking up sunny rays. Pro tip: With the days already getting longer, it’s never too soon to start protecting your eyes.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

Are you all hopped up for baseball season? You can help the Hillsboro Hops score their first honorary home run by voting for their mascot, Barley, to be named the Best Minor League Baseball Mascot in USA Today’s 2024 10BEST Readers’ Choice awards.

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