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- Southeast Portland’s Arleta Triangle has expanded into a public plaza meant to deter traffic collisions and gun violence in the Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood. The Mercury’s Isabella Garcia attended the kick-off block party for the new community space Thursday night. 

- It’s Time Based Art Festival o’ clock in Portland, and Mercury Arts Editor Suzette Smith is making sure you don’t miss the gems. Read Smith’s overview of the four most hilarious things (and one scary thing) that happened during Friday’s NOTHINGBEING performance.

- Bob Stacey, a former Metro councilor and an influential figure in Oregon’s land use planning, died Thursday at the age of 72. As an original attorney working with 1000 Friends of Oregon, Stacey helped lay the legal foundations for the state’s unique growth management system, a fight that placed him opposite the Rajneeshee cult in court.

- New newsletter just dropped: 

- Oregon’s Cedar Creek fire in Willamette National Forest quadrupled in size over the weekend, leaving Portland draped in heavy, eerie smoke. On Sunday, firefighters said that a change in weather has made the 86,000-acre fire easier to contain and will quickly clear the hazy skies. 

- Today marks the fourth day of a Seattle public school teachers strike, which began on the district’s first day of school. The teachers union remains in contract negotiations with the school district over teacher pay and support for students with special needs.

- Surprise, surprise: King Charles doesn't have to pay an inheritance tax on the properties worth millions he has inherited from his ma. All other wealthy UK non-royals are obligated to pay this tax, which is weirdly encouraging news. 

- In other Queen news, it turns out that Queen Elizabeth’s corgis are not going to be buried alive with her—and instead be given to her son Andrew (the creepy one, for those keeping track). 

- Ukrainians victoriously returned to their homes today, as Ukrainian forces took back areas northeast Ukraine seized by Russian troops months before. “People are crying, people are joyful, of course. How could they not be joyful!” a retired English teacher named Zoya tearfully told Reuters. 

- As we enter the workweek, I leave you with this reminder:  The typical career is 80,000 hours long. Meaning your job is just one-sixth of your waking existence. Behave accordingly.

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