THE UPS AND DOWNS OF PROTEST, PARTYHOPPERS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

[August 17th, 2005] WINNERS

August partyhoppers in Portland enjoyed a festive buffet over the weekend. The 10th Annual Providence BridgePedal cycled in more than 20,000 riders, and the Bite of Oregon didn't bite, either, with a tasty mix of cuisine from all over the state. Plus, it's been like three days since anyone got shot downtown. Praise Dionysus!

The Oregonian won when a Multnomah County circuit judge ruled last week that Portland must pony up information about cops and firefighters in the city's taxpayer-financed Fire and Police Disability and Retirement Fund. The newspaper wants the info for its ongoing reporting on the $87 mil-a-year pension fund.

Anti-war protesters can thank Cindy Sheehan for energizing the cause by setting up camp outside President Bush's vacation ranch in Texas. Sheehan's demand to talk with Bush about her son's death in Iraq has drawn hundreds of supporters and sympathetic press. Where's Karl Rove when Bush needs him? Oh yeah. Ouch.

Portland-area homeowners got another dose of good news as median house prices for July showed a 13 percent markup over the same month last year. We know, we know: For every winning homeowner there's a losing first-time home buyer.

LOSERS

Oregon public employees retired since March 2000 felt it in the wallet when the Oregon Supreme Court upheld a lower-court ruling that the state pension system overcharged public employers. The result: Many of the recent retirees must repay between $400 and $8,000 apiece and will get reduced checks in the future.

Looking in the couch for coins ain't gonna fill Oregon drivers' gas tanks anymore. The average gallon of gas has reached a state-record high of $2.53, up 20 cents from last month. Check www.portlandgasprices.com to locate the cheapest gallon and read about all things oil and gas.

Wild Pacific salmon took it in the gills when the Bush administration slashed 20 percent of previously protected river and stream miles the fish once occupied. While backers of the cut say salmon stocks are no longer in the now-unprotected areas, opponents point out the obvious: Salmon can't inhabit waterways transformed by dredging, erosion and pollution.