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ly, four states – including Oregon – have legalized the adult
use of marijuana. Those who moved forward with manufac-
turing and distributing marijuana in accordance with those
laws have too often been caught up in the federal criminal
justice system. While the current policy of the Obama Ad-
ministration is to not prosecute individuals complying with
state law and federal enforcement priorities, this was not
always the case and may not always be the case going for-
ward. The Clean Slate for Marijuana Offenses Act of 2015
creates a path for expungement for any individual with a
federal criminal record associated with a marijuana offense
that was legal under their state at the time.
This legislation also creates a pathway for expungement
for anyone who has a federal record associated with pos-
sessing an ounce or less of marijuana. While the number of
people who meet this category is low, due to the fact that
most small marijuana offenses are charged at the local level,
this legislation sends a strong signal to state and local ju-
risdictions that allowing opportunities for expungement for
certain marijuana offenders should happen at all levels of
law enforcement.
PHOTO BY MATTHEW MONROE
Pitch Black
New Documentary on Gentrification
Launches Kickstarter Campaign
Oregon Public House co-founder Stephen Green (left) and Portland singer-songwriter Maria Webster
will host a whiteboard pitching event for Portland-based African-American entrepreneurs from 5 p.m.
to 7:45 p.m. Thursday at the Oregon Public House, 700 NE Dekum Street. Presenters will be giving a
five-minute pitch and drawing ideas on a whiteboard telling the world about their company. Tickets
are $10 in advance, $20 at the door and sales are limited to 100 people. Proceeds from ticket sales
will be divided among the three best pitches chosen by the crowd. All are welcome at the event, but
only Portland-based African-Americans may pitch a business idea.
Rep. Blumenauer Announces Legisla-
tion to Provide Pathway for Expunge-
ment of Certain Marijuana Offenses
Earlier this week, Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-
03) announced plans to introduce legislation reinforcing
steps taken by Oregon to legalize and provide a clean start
for certain marijuana offenses. The Clean Slate for Marijua-
na Offenses Act of 2015, to be introducedTuesday, creates
a pathway for the following two groups of federal marijua-
na offenders to expunge – or clear the criminal record of –
their marijuana offense: those who were federally charged
for activity that was state legal at the time; and those whose
offense was the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.
Since 1996, twenty-three states, the District of Columbia
and Guam have passed medical marijuana laws. Additional-
A new documentary looking at the rapid gentrification in
Portland’s traditional black neighborhoods launches a Kick-
starter campaign on July 22.
Priced Out: 15 Years of Gentrification in Portland, Oregon
is a sequel to the 2002 documentary NorthEast Passage: The
Inner City and the American Dream. Both films are about
gentrification and affordable housing, and focus on the life
of North/Northeast Portland resident Nikki Williams.
In the late 1990s, Williams, a black single mother, em-
braced the gentrification that was making inroads into her
community. But more than 15 years later, Williams found
herself one of the last black residents on her block. Priced
Out follows Williams as she decides to sell her home, built
by Habitat for Humanity, and move to Dallas, Texas.
The film will also reexamine public policy and econom-
ic forces surrounding gentrification to create a time-lapse
portrait of North/Northeast Portland’s rapid transformation
from cohesive black community to the city’s latest “hot
neighborhood.”
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PORTLAND COMMUNITY CALENDAR 2015
p.m. Irving Park, NE 7th Ave. & Fremont St.
If you have an event you want to share with the
community, email it two weeks in advance to
The Skanner at info@theskanner.com
Wednesday – Saturday, July 22 – August 29
THE GREAT DEBATE ABOUT ART OPENS AT UPFOR: A
new group exhibition, The Great Debate About Art,
opens at Upfor on July 22 and runs through August
29 with a First Thursday reception August 6 from
6 to 8 p.m. It is free to attend and open to the
public. The exhibition includes drawing, sculpture,
painting, photography, collage and digital art
by seven contemporary artists. UPFOR, 929 NW
Flanders St.
Friday, July 24
EARTH HARMONY: ARE HUMANS DESTROYING MOTH-
ER EARTH THROUGH CLIMATE CHANGE? Colored
Pencils Art and Culture Council, Instituto Inxocitl In-
cuicatl, Parks & Recreation, Regional Arts & Culture
Council, Multnomah County Cultural Coalition and
the World Affairs Council of Oregon invite Portland-
ers families to be part of an American Indigenous
ritual and learn about elders’ wisdom that guide us
on how to reduce our ecological footprint at the
Director Park. Free admission, community dance,
hand drum song, and much more. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Downtown Portland.
Saturday, July 25
7TH ANNUAL PORTLAND WOMEN’S 3X3 BASKETBALL
TOURNAMENT: All women welcome 18+. 4 brack-
ets, DJ’s all day long, games and prizes. 9 a.m. – 4
‘EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK’ YARD SALE:
North Star Village Yard Sale to benefit planning for
Aging in Place! Take home something special and
support the North Star Village Seed Money Fund!
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 6887 N. Macrum St., University
Park Neighborhood.
SUMMERTIME GARDEN PARTY: A benefit for Veterans
for Peace Portland Chapter 72: Featuring music by
David Rovis with a very special musical guest from
England. Fun, food, drink, silent auction. $10 at the
door (no one turned away), 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., The
Peace House, 2116 NE 18th Ave.
7th ANNUAL BOOK FESTIVAL: Over 200 critically
acclaimed and well known authors from Oregon
and out of State will be attending this year. Meet
the authors in person, get an autograph and
ask questions about their work. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.,
Pioneer Courthouse Square, corner of S Sixth Ave.
and SW Morrison St.
Sunday, July 26
LENTS STREET FAIR AND FOUNDER’S DAY PARADE: Fun,
free family community event with over 50 food
and craft vendors, International Farmer’s Market,
live music, dancing, games and much more. 11
a.m. – 5 p.m. SE 91st – 88th between Steele St.
and Reedway St.
Monday, July 27
IT’S GONNA BE OKAY! This is a free stand-up come-
dy show every Monday. The show showcases the
best comedians in Portland along with some trav-
eling national comics. 8:30 p.m., Eastburn, 1300 E.
Burnside St.
Wednesday, July 29
3 LEG TORSO – MUSIC ON MAIN STREET: 3 Leg Torso
formed in 1996 as a violin, cello and accordion
trio with the mission of creating original modern
chamber music for their unique instrumentation. 5
p.m. – 7 p.m., downtown Portland on Main Street
between Broadway & Park Ave.
Friday, July 31
FREE VISION SCREENING FOR PRESCHOOLERS IN SE
PORTLAND. Oregon law requires that public school
students 7 or younger provide proof of vision
screening or eye examination before entering
school. Children who are screened for vision prob-
lems at the event will receive a certificate that can
be used as proof of vision screening. Cost is free.
12:30 p.m. Belmont Public Library, 1038 SE Cesar
E. Chavez Blvd.
Saturday, August 1
STREET FAIR CELEBRATION AND SIMULCAST: Cele-
brating Five Decades of Great Opera: Activities
include Street Fair, children’s activities opera
improve performance, live bands, and simulcast.
Noon – 10 p.m. SW Main St. Between the Antoi-
nette Hatfield Hall and the Arlene Schnitzer Con-
cert Hall – Free.
CHILDREN’S MUSIC & BOOK FESTIVAL: Please bring
children’s socks, shoes and books. Performing at
the festival will be The Pop Ups, Alphabet Rockers,
Pointed Man Band, Aaron Nigel Smith One World
Chorus. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pre-Show Yoga at 9:30
a.m. King School Park, 4609 NE 6th St.
Sunday, August 2
5TH ANNUAL ARAB FESTIVAL – MAHRAJAN – AT
ALPENROSE DAIRY: This day long free event show-
cases the arts, entertainment, food, traditions and
most importantly the spirit of Oregon’s Arab-Amer-
icans. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Alpenrose Dairy, 6149 SW
Shattuck RD.
July 22, 2015 The Portland Skanner Page 3