Willamette Week | News Buzz

Taking the Girl Out of Portland
Don't expect to see Girl at Lloyd Center any time soon. The film, based on former Portlander Blake Nelson's book, played two sold-out screenings at the Taos Talking Pictures Festival in New Mexico last week, but it hasn't been released commercially and may go direct to video after making the festival rounds. It stars teen heartthrobs Dominique Swain (Lolita) and Sean Patrick Flanery (Powder) as lovesick kids who drink coffee and hang out at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Though the book is filled with Rose City references (pampered West Hills teen falls for grungy Satyricon rock star), the movie has been inexplicably de-Portlandized. In fact, it disguises the city's name (it's called Porter City), drops most local references (there's one mention of LaLuna) and uses cityscapes that look only vaguely familiar.

At the same time, director Jonathan Kahn obviously clings to the Northwest style and sound: Swain wears tight vintage T-shirts, and Flannery sadly sings of his angst in his band, the Color Green
. --Audrey Van Buskirk

Just In Time for Police Memorial Week Someone made a political statement on KEX Radio's painted wall sign (on the eastern approach to the Hawthorne Bridge). The ad went up last year after the shooting deaths of two Portland police officers. Last weekend, someone added the word "terrorist" on one side and splashed blood-red paint on the other. "It would be fun if the police caught them," says Rich Connor, marketing director at KEX. The graffiti was removed Tuesday.

Pinpoint Accuracy
As the war in Kosovo heats up, many Americans are beginning to wonder if they're getting the whole story.

Gruesome images flood our TV screens every night. But is this violence a cause or a consequence of NATO bombing?

If you're growing skeptical of the familiar parade of rent-a-quote pontificators in the mainstream media, the Institute for Public Accuracy may be able to help. Dedicated to broadening public discourse about key national issues, the group uses its Web site (www.accuracy.org) and daily e-mail press releases to connect reporters with academics and activists who challenge the conventional wisdom.

To this end, Eugene native David Zupan, 50, a former English teacher turned peace activist, makes dozens of calls a day on the group's behalf, trying to pitch IPA's story ideas to radio and TV producers. Examples include the environmental impact of the bombing in Yugoslavia and a diplomatic analysis of the Rambouillet Accord, which comes down hard on NATO. So far, the group has met with a surprisingly warm reception. Its list of media placements includes NPR, CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

"We try to get more diversity" into the news, says Zupan (no relation to Portland's upscale grocer.) Easier said than done: As every general knows, in war, the first casualty is truth.

--Chris Lydgate

Wilde Thing
Last week, state Sen. Thomas Wilde, who is considered one of the odder members of the Legislature, earned the distinction of being the first lawmaker in recent memory to draw an official complaint from a colleague.

The incident leading to the complaint occurred when Wilde, a Portland Democrat, was conducting a hearing on a farmer-friendly pesticide bill before the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The committee chairman, Newberg Republican Gary George, was unavailable, leaving Wilde, the vice-chairman, in charge.

The other two Democrats on the committee, Sens. Joan Dukes and Tony Corcoran, planned to offer amendments that would have increased pesticide-reporting requirements. Wilde, however, refused to allow any public testimony on the amendments and sat through the protests of Duke and Corcoran. Once they quieted down, he said it was time to move on, "now that I've got all the kids in line..."

That was too much for Dukes, who was so angry that she stormed out of the committee meeting without her glasses.

"He was out of line," she said after the meeting. "I expect to be treated as an equal." Dukes was so upset with Wilde's behavior that she and Corcoran filed a complaint with Senate President Brady Adams.

Adams says it's the first such letter of complaint he's ever received during his two terms as Senate president.

After listening to an audio tape of the meeting, Adams says he thought Wilde handled himself appropriately until he made the "kids" comment. "It struck me as an unfortunate remark," he says.

Adams is sending out a Senate-wide letter reminding members to treat each other with respect. Sources say he also told Wilde to apologize to Dukes.

Wilde has been written off by most people as a one-termer known for publicity stunts, and he has refused to talk to WW all session. The North Portland lawmaker issued a statement saying, "It was a joy to chair the meeting."

Dukes talked to WW after the meeting but has not returned calls about Adams' response. Corcoran says he's satisfied. "You can't train someone to have social skills," he says. "He offends people at times without being aware he offends them."
--Patty Wentz

Why, There Oughta Be A Law...

HOUSE BILL 4017
RELATING TO RELATING TO MOTHER'S DAY AND OTHER HOLIDAYS