The Portland Loo is the brainchild of City Commissioner Randy Leonard who saw a growing global problem and sought out a novel, local solution. His philosophy is, "When you gotta go, you gotta go."

Mike "Cabbie" Cabler is a native of Portland, Oregon, a longtime taxicab driver, and a quick study of all things public.

For more information call Anna DiBenedetto in Commissioner Leonard's office at (503) 823-3001 or send her an e-mail at adibenedetto@ci.portland.or.us.

Special thanks to Jennie Day-Burget Public Information Officer and the Portland Bureau of Water, who want to remind everybody that they love their business almost as much as they love yours.

A friend of mine, Richard Harris, has had this day named in his honor by Portland Mayor Tom Potter. Harris has been doing great work for many years as the head of Central City Concern, a nonprofit outfit that not only detoxifies the inebriates found on the city's sidewalks, but also helps thousands of people get out of addiction and into decent jobs, homes, health care, and lives. Harris is retiring from the directorship of CCC this year. He's currently serving as the interim director of the state's Addictions and Mental Health Division while the search goes on for a leader to fill that position permanently. A good man.

"Dogg Gone Good Stuff, and one of finest places in town, for shure. so..." by Isadora D

SENTINEL NEWS SERVICE: Looky Loo Division

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Central City Concern next week will rename its 8NW8 building after its executive director, Richard Harris. The building was completed in 2004 and contains 180 units of alcohol-free and drug-free community housing.

Richard Harris, the longtime executive director of Central City Concern, said today that he will step down next week.

Harris will remain with the social service agency until the end of the year as executive director emeritus. The new executive director, starting next week, will be Deputy Director Ed Blackburn, who has worked at the agency for more than a decade, Harris said.

Harris, 68, has worked at Central City Concern for 29 years and has served as executive director for the past 16. He said he's proud of the mix of services the agency has provided to the poor, including drug and alcohol treatment, health care and housing assistance.

"I think it's time to pass the torch," Harris said. "The agency's in good shape."

-- Stephen Beaven; stevebeaven@news.oregonian.com

Richard Harris, the retiring executive director of Central City Concern, has been hired as interim director for the state’s Division of Addictions and Mental Health until a permanent director is found through a national search.