Skip to main content* First they tried to kick 'em off TriMet. Then they confiscated their bikes from a rack outside Rocco's Pizza. Now the forces of law and order want to shut down a whole MAX station, at least in part to curtail the undisciplined roaming of the Zoobombers, the daredevils who plunge down the West Hills on tiny two-wheelers on Sunday nights. A couple of months ago, an officer suggested that the Sylvan-Highlands Neighborhood Association ask TriMet to close the Oregon Zoo MAX station early as an anti-Zoobomber measure. Last week, association chair Gretchen Hollands contacted Zoobomber participants, who plan to weigh in at the SHNA's next meeting on March 4. Meanwhile, one Zoobomber, Corey Sevigny, told WW: "This is like Boss Hogg and Enos vs. the Dukes of Hazzard."
* Though America's premier music school wasn't ready to confirm the news as of press time, tiny birds in Portland's classical-music circles are twittering that James DePreist, former baton overlord of the Oregon Symphony, is about to take over Juilliard's conductor-training program. DePreist and the New York artiste-factory were reportedly finalizing details of the pact late last week. The conductor, who turned over his lead role at OS to Carlos Kalmar last year after more than 20 years at the helm, has taught and conducted at Juilliard in the past.
* In the latest chapter of the Portland Family Entertainment saga, it's hard to keep your eye on the ball. A new team of investors, including Harold Saltzman, is looking to take over the Beavers and Timbers. Saltzman, a large property owner and uncle of City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, confirmed that he is interested but said he won't comment further until the status of a bid by PFE partner Peter Stott is known.
* If you've been thinking about getting a dog, now is the time to act. Family Dogs Northwest, which has been matching families and rescued dogs for four years, is hitting a nasty budget shortfall and may be shutting its pens. The staff at this no-kill nonprofit shelter in Southeast Portland is frantically trying to find homes for 70 pooches by Feb. 15. Check out the adorable dogs at www.familydogsnw.com
* Sources at the Portland Police Bureau expect that prominent media figure C.W. Jensen, former KGW reporter and ex-police spokesman, will achieve what many felt impossible: return as a full captain. He has been on a prolonged leave after what columnist Phil Stanford has dismissed as a "$150 expense-account discrepancy." In reality, Jensen was accused of instructing his former subordinate, Scott Anderson, to do what he had already done: submit receipts for city reimbursement even though the meals had already been paid for by a private company. Jensen was recommended for firing, but has pleaded his case--reportedly that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse at the time--to Mayor Vera Katz. People disagree on whether Jensen's alleged transgressions constitute an offense that merits termination, but cynical bureau-watchers claim his cause has not been hurt by his close friendship with Commander Mike Garvey, who in turn is close to Charlie Makinney, Katz's influential police adviser.
* If you, like us, suffer from barely controllable urges to hurl projectiles at close friends as hard as you can, take heed. The demented minds behind the wildly popular adult kickball league that made waves last summer (remember summer?) are now launching an adult dodgeball league, with mortal combat scheduled to ensue at McMenamins Kennedy School on March 1. If you are interested in this deadly pastime, see www.pdxkickball.com.
WWeek 2015