Popcorn Shorts
Cool stuff that’s too small for a big article
Just like it says, Popcorn Shorts is about the kind of things we think are really interesting, but don’t really need a large article to explain them. From the sublime to the ridiculous, check in here for crunchy bits of info you’ll love to munch. By the way, much (but not necessarily all) of our delicious Popcorn comes from articles we’ve posted on our Facebook page. If you’re on Facebook, please stop by and “Like” us and we’ll keep a fairly-constant-but-not-frequent-enough-to-be-annoying stream of these coming to your virtual door!
Lauren Boebert or Saturday Night Live… YOU Decide!
A ‘controversy’ is currently swirling about whether Saturday Night Live’s December treatment of Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert was unfair, but Jimmy Kimmel already answered the question in November. He showed several ‘people on the street’ samples of Lauren Boebert saying embarrassing things, and asked if SNL went too far. There was some waffling, but most thought is was a pretty low-rent imitation of an actual Congressional Representative. GOTCHA! They were actual cuts of actual Lauren Boebert from her actual site. What do you think, is this a low-rent imitation of an actual Congressional Representative? Hmmmm….
Comedy Wildlife Photography Winners
(from NPR)- “The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been unearthing hilarious and heartwarming photos of creatures basically being their best selves since 2015. And this year is no exception. The recently announced winners and finalists of the 2021 competition include a visibly uncomfortable monkey, a trio of gossipy raccoons, a joyful bird reunion, gravity-defying fish and an all-powerful prairie dog. A panel of judges sorts through thousands of submissions from expert and novice photographers alike and determines one winner for each of the several categories — except for the people’s choice award, which is left up to members of the public…”
Changes Are Coming To OMSI’s Neighborhood
(from Wilammette Week)- “The OMSI District on the east bank of the Willamette River is now over a decade old, and still mostly theoretical. On Wednesday, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry shared updated renderings of its plans, showcasing swanky glass apartment buildings, lively storefronts and communal green spaces covering 10 blocks of the inner eastside. The project launched in 2008 and has received money from the city, Metro and the state to create a neighborhood district with a focus on climate and science. The plans include: 1,200 housing units, a waterfront education park focusing on Indigenous heritage, mixed-use commercial and residential buildings, and new storefronts…”
What Happens After They Empty Your Big Green Bin?
(from Willamette Week)- “Jones latches the metal bar on the front of the bin to his truck. He flips a lever. A hydraulic lift called a “stinger” elevates the bin, then dumps it. The cart vomits yard debris and food waste into the truck. Moldy bread, rotten bananas, greenish-tinted hot dogs and carrots swim in a bilious sludge. Inhaling the essence makes me feel like I’m spinning around in the bottom of a garbage disposal. “Pretty nasty, huh?” Jones says with a grin. A belch of diesel exhaust as Jones pulls away from the curb provides relief from the sickly sweet smell of decay. Jones’ employer, Cloudburst, is one of 19 companies that have contracts to collect Portlanders’ waste, recyclables and debris…”
