We still believe in Harvey Dent.

[July 23rd, 2008] Let’s rock: Developers Randy Rappaport (known for loft projects on Southeast Belmont and Division streets) and Brad Malsin (Eastbank Commerce Center) want to develop a new 2,000-seat live performance venue on the Willamette’s east bank. Design is complete for a $7 million building and the developers are talking to Mayor-elect Sam Adams about some public financing. No timetable yet for construction. But Rappaport says, “We’ll have a minimalist, abstract exterior and the interior is going to have a monolithic, organic feel. Like you’re inside a whale.”

Not feeling indebted enough? Just smashed your bike into an SUV? The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is now promoting Unitus Community Credit Union’s new bike loans ($250-$2,500, 12-month repayment at 7.99 percent). Unitus joins retailers like the Bike Gallery and Performance Bicycle in offering financing. “What we found was a real need,” says Unitus VP of Planning and Business Development Laurie Kresl. “Some bike-shop owners couldn’t afford to offer financing.” Murmurs says shop around.

For the third week running, friends of Doug Peterson’s convenience store will petition City Council to stop a planned Aug. 15 eviction from the city-owned space Peterson leases downtown. So far, the campaign to save the store—whose eviction stems from police complaints—at the Southwest 10th Avenue and Morrison Street MAX stop has fallen flat at Council. That despite a petition, a website, a video tour of its fluorescent aisles and an eclectic collection of arguments, including this one: “If it’s obvious a customer is homeless, employees won’t sell them beer,” Peterson’s employee Geno Heleen told commissioners last week. Obviously homeless? Murmurs must remember to shave next time we try to buy a six-pack of Rainier.

When U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith’s longtime spokesman R.C. Hammond abruptly ditched his Republican boss’s re-election bid last month, questions lingered. Was it a friendly auf wiedersehen? Or had Hammond fallen victim to a sudden campaign shakeup? Hammond’s replacement, Lindsay Gilbride, said June 10 that Hammond had decided to enter the private sector. Here’s one contrary clue: On June 8, according to federal finance reports, Smith’s campaign gave Hammond $2,571.11 for a “moving/travel reimbursement.” Gilbride calls the payment reimbursement for Hammond’s move to Portland last fall.

Last week Murmurs reported Portland Public Schools administrator Julie Howland was moving from Madison High to Benson High. But after her appointment, Howland—a controversial figure at Madison—decided to resign from PPS altogether. Sources tell Murmurs that Howland is moving to a job in Southern Oregon.

“OK—a FOOT just came through my ceiling!”...“If I have to ask ‘French fries, tater tots, soup, or salad’ one more time, I will punch someone in the mouth. My only saving grace is that I’m not 100% sober”: Just some of the excerpts streaming in since WW invited readers to submit entries for a new “working after dark” column. You have until Aug. 6 to send your 250-word story to nightshift@wweek.com, along with your name and email address. We’ll print the best, and you might become our new columnist.

Sisters of the Road will host a South Africa-style truth commission on Aug. 7 at 5:30 pm to hear from homeless people affected by Portland’s “sit-lie law.” Sisters community organizer Patrick Nolen says the meeting at 133 NW 6th Ave. will ensure complaints are put into reports for an Aug. 11 hearing by the Street Access for Everyone Oversight Committee hearing sponsored by Portland’s City Council.