News In today's paper, occasional WW contributor and harmonica enthusiast Rusty Feathercap offered his counterproposal to the Oregonian 's ill-conceived contest to redesign our state's beaver-adorned banner. But Rusty wasn't the only person in the office—well, we don't really let him in the office except to pick up his checks, but you get the idea—to offer an opinion on the flag. Here are ...   More

News Nothing says Valentine's Day like chocolate, and no one does chocolate better than Moonstruck. Actually, that's patently untrue—there are many people who do chocolate better than Moonstruck, but the locally-owned company, especially of late, does chocolate pretty well. When they were kind enough to send over their new Sweet Heart Truffles, Solid X & O Chocolates, and ten-piece Heart Collection, ...   More

News You know what time it is? It's basketball time. And you know what that means? It means I'll be occasionally writing things. But not clever things, thank you. Because it's Tuesday and (fun fact!) Tuesday is my third least favorite day, after Monday and Sunday. This blog, accordingly, will be about 15% less smart than my usual offerings, which means it will not be smart at all. LET'S GET READY TO ...   More

News The latest grim unemployment numbers from the state show 12.1 percent of Oregonians out of work, or nearly one in eight people. That's up from 10.7 percent in February and ties the state unemployment rate from November 1982, the low point of the early 1980s recession. And the numbers crunchers say 12.1 percent is apparently the worst it's been since 1947, when the Employment Department first ...   More

News In the wake of Oregon's economic collapse, it is easy to forget the real victims: New York Times travel freelancers. With the Oregon unemployment rate topping 12.1 percent, how will the stringers be able to justify their monthly comped trips to Portland? Who will punch their ticket to Hipster Adventureland now? But comes a savior: It's Matt Gross, one of the Grey Lady's "Frugal Travelers," pioneering ...   More

News Oregon's job woes continue, as the May unemployment numbers out today show the state achieving a new record unemployment rate of 12.4 percent. Even though the 12.4 percent rate is worse than the state's previous worst mark of 12.1 percent set in November 1982, the Oregon Employment Department finds some good news in that the current freefall is moderating. Between March and May, the state's ...   More