Oregon Voting Registration Deadline Oct. 18

Residents who are new to Oregon, have not had recent contact with the DMV or for other reasons are not sure they are currently registered to vote can check their status online here – or call their county elections official to check on their current status. (In Multnomah County, the number is 503-988-3720; in Clackamas, it’s 503-655-8510; and in Washington, 503-846-5800).

The deadline to register to vote in Oregon is Oct. 18. Those who still need to register to vote can do so onilne or in person at the county elections office.

In addition, The Links, Inc. will be hosting voter registration events:

• Oct. 13 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Holgate House
• Oct. 15 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – JP Frames

Washington state residents must register (or update their registration) by Oct. 10 if they register online, or by Oct. 31 if they register in person. Washington residents who aren’t sure whether or not they’re registered to vote can visit https://weiapplets.sos.wa.gov/MyVote/#/login.

Washington ballots must be postmarked by election day – or can be dropped at a dropbox by 8 p.m. on election day. To register to vote in Washington, visit http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/myvote/olvr.html. To get information about registering by mail or in person, call 1-800-448-4881 or elections@sos.wa.gov.

PSU’s Portland State of Mind to Discuss Black Lives Matter Movement, Election 2016 and Portland’s Economy

WHAT: Portland State University opens its doors to the community with its fifth annual Portland State of Mind, a 10-day series of lectures, workshops, entertainment and sports.
More than 50 events are planned, including:

• An election roundtable discussion by members of PSU’s Political Science faculty covering everything from the state of the races to implications for the future from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Smith Memorial Student Union browsing lounge.
• Black Lives Matter: Rhetoric or Reality? A panel featuring Black Studies faculty will discuss the impact of the movement and why we do not live in a post-racial or color-blind society from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct 18 at the Smith Memorial Student Union Browsing Lounge.
• PSU Convenes: Should Oregon raise corporate taxes? A debate about Measure 97 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom. Tickets required.
• Two panel discussions about the Portland metro area’s economy from 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. Oct. 14 and 17 at the Ecotrust Billie Frank, Jr. Conference Center, 721 N.W. 9th Ave.
• A concert featuring performances by !!! (pronounced Chk, Chk, Chk), EASTGHOST and Force Publique from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Smith Memorial Student Union.
• Homecoming football game and Tailgate: PSU vs Cal Poly on Oct. 15. Tailgate begins at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Kingston Sports Bar and Grill, 2021 SW Morrison St. Game starts at 2:30 p.m. at Providence Park.

For a full schedule of events go to www.pdx.edu/portland-state-of-mind.

PDX Urban Market Launches in NE Portland Oct. 13

Local small business With Love From PDX and private nonprofit Know Your City have come together to offer the community a new place for residents to support the local economy and discover locally made products. The Portland Urban Market, which launches at 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at One North Development Plaza (N. Williams and Fremont) will feature diverse makers and other local purveyors of food, goods, and crafts.

The idea of the Portland Urban Market came from the need to provide vendors of color and vendors from other historically marginalized identities more avenues to increase the visibility of their business and to connect with local customers.

Established in 2014, With Love From PDX leverages local makers to offer customers locally and nationally customized gifting boxes combining thoughtful home wares, crafts and food goods to create bespoke gifts for a wide range of clientele. Inger McDowell-Hartye, owner of With Love From PDX, uses a business model focused on community engagement and business collaboration. She was inspired to co-facilitate this event because of the conversations she’s exchanged while walking the beat of Portland’s small business community. "This space was created to focus on diversity of makers of color in our city so often in our community we're looking for space and opportunities to come together, we decided to make our own space," said Inger McDowell-Hartye, owner of With Love From PDX.

The first Portland Urban Market will launch from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 13 at One North Development Plaza and will continue to host monthly markets starting in Spring 2017. Information about event logistics and attending vendors are available on Eventbrite.

OMSI Hosts NASA Astronaut Dr. Mike Barratt for Public Events Oct. 14 and 15

OMSI will officially close-out “World Space Week” with two special days featuring local NASA astronaut Dr. Mike Barratt Friday and Saturday. Beginning Friday morning, OMSI will host a dedicated Twitter Q&A (@OMSI) with Dr. Barratt at 9:30 a.m., and the public are invited to ask questions online using #AskAnAstro. The day continues with a free presentation on living and working in space by Dr. Barratt at 11 a.m., followed by a meet-and-greet just for teachers at 4pm, and an “OMSI Members Only” presentation at 7 p.m. On Oct. 15, the public is once again invited to a presentation from Dr. Barratt at 11 a.m.. All presentations will be followed by an audience Q&A. All events are free, though advance registration is required, and take place at OMSI Auditorium at 1945 SE Water Avenue. For more information, visit www.omsi.edu.

With NASA since 1991, astronaut Mike Barratt M.D. spent 199 days in space as Flight Engineer for Expeditions 19 and 20 in 2009. He currently serves in the NASA International Space Station Operations and Integration branches to handle medical issues and on-orbit support.

For more Portland and Seattle area events, see our Community Calendar.