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!

Portland Rose Festival is BACK FOR 2022!

from RoseFestival.org- “Part of Portland’s popular culture for more than a century, the Rose Festival has its roots in tradition while its programming is both contemporary and nostalgic. In 1907, foresighted city leaders started the festival to put Portland on the map and brand it the ‘summer capital of the world.’ More than a hundred summers later, the Rose Festival continues to be world famous for its amazing, award-winning events, as well as a community leader for celebrating values like volunteerism, patriotism and environmentalism…

“Both Sides” of the Buffalo Massacre?

from NBCNews.com– “Two days after a white gunman opened fire and killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store, teacher Elizabeth Close began her high school ethnic studies class in Austin, Texas, by reminding her students about a new state law that requires her to provide balanced perspectives on “widely debated and currently controversial issues.” Close told her students that under the law, one of several recently implemented across the country that limit the ways teachers can discuss racism and current events, she was obligated to inform them that there’s more than one way to view Saturday’s mass shooting…

Love Letters to your house are OK again

from OPB- A federal judge on Wednesday concluded that Oregon’s law banning real estate “love letters” is unconstitutional. Oregon had been the first and only state with such a law, which was intended to prevent discrimination. The law, approved by the Oregon Legislature in 2021, prohibited real estate agents from accepting any communication from potential buyers other than “customary documents.” Oregon was the only state with such a law, which was intended to prevent discrimination among sellers as they decide who will buy their home. Attorney Daniel Ortner, who represented the company, said these letters can actually help underprivileged buyers. “Buyers who maybe can’t compete on things like how much cash they can offer [as a down payment],” Ortner said. “It gives them a chance to compete because they can explain why they love the house…”