City Commissioner Amanda Fritz puts a call out to Cyreena Boston Ashby of the Portland African American Leadership Forum. Cyreena, your organization was in the thick of the fight over a Trader Joe’s proposed for NE MLK. Will you still be good with Two-Buck Chuck?

Commissioner Nick Fish sends a carrier pigeon to Bob Sallinger, conservation director for the local Audubon chapter. “Bob spends a lot of time blasting us from the podium,” Fish says, “but more time briefing us behind closed doors.” Bob, we hate to say it, but we’re roasting duck.

Commissioner Steve Novick reserves a spot for Haven Wheelock, who runs services to help intravenous drug users at the downtown nonprofit Outside In. Haven, we propose a toast: to cutting overdose deaths and improving the health of some of the most vulnerable folks on our streets.

County Chair Marissa Madrigal pulls out a chair for Carmen Rubio of the Latino Network: “She’s not flashy. She’s not about taking credit. She’s about getting things done.” Carmen, you sound less like a mere dinner guest and more like the life coach we so desperately need.

Mayor Charlie Hales asked Stephanie Routh to wheel on over. Stephanie, given your pedestrian advocacy and Kickstarter-funded book about moving via bicycle, we laid in an über-Portlandian spread. (Hope you like kombucha and kale!) You’re not bucking for Charlie’s job, are ya?