Our Best Schools

Compare notes on more than 600 of the region's schools in our education grids. <p>Compare notes on more than 600 of the region’s schools in our education grids. Across the country, high schools are becoming small and specialized, adhering to the theory that intimacy, focus, and a family’s ability to choose their child’s school will cultivate more effective learning. But Portland Public Schools is taking the opposite approach. Why? Because the old-fashioned model—large, generalized, and right down the street—seems to be the better fit for our city’s ever-expanding array of revitalized inner-city neighborhoods.</p>

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Now Hear This

Music Review: American Gong by Quasi

After a four year layoff from their previous album, Quasi returns with a new bassist and a more studied sound.

01/19/2010 By Robert Runyon

High Note

Guided by Voices

A love of ancient music brought Cappella Romana together. Their skill has made them stars.

01/19/2010 By Bart Blasengame

Mudroom

Off Hours: February 2010

How to spend your free time this month

01/19/2010

Eat & Drink

INTRODUCING…

Red Onion Thai Cuisine

Even as Thai joints spread across the city like Starbucks, Red Onion stands out from the pack with an adventurous menu.

01/19/2010 By Kaitlyn Evans

INTRODUCING

Fats

The newest member of Micah Camden's culinary empire, Fats, gives Portland the taste of a British gastropub. And poutine.

01/19/2010 By Rachel Ritchie

Nebb-ulous

Cellar Notes: February 2010

The nebbiolos of the Piedmont region of Italy are some of the most food-friendly wines out there. Here are a few of our favorites.

01/19/2010 By Condé Cox

Pour

Hive Minded

One distiller’s vision leads him to reinvent an ancient Nordic elixir

01/19/2010 By Hannah Feldman

SAVOR

A Rustic Crostata Makes the Perfect Home for Your Leftover Preserves

Take advantage of the multitude of mason jars filled with local fruit by making heritage deserts such as Julie Richardson's jam crostata.

01/19/2010 By Deena Prichep

Portland Plated

Bold World Cuisine

Matt Lightner brings modern European cuisine home to Castagna.

01/19/2010 By Mike Thelin

Editor's Note

City of Schools

After years of cloudiness and uncertainty for Portland Public Schools, the skies are beginning to clear as enrollment increases due to the influx of children from the 20- and 30- somethings that have migrated here for years.

01/19/2010 By Randy Gragg

Home & Real Estate

EXTRA CREDIT

Class Notes

With special features such as music program makeovers to the tune of $40,000 and tech-savvy schools' Facebook pages, Portland-area schools go for the extra credit.

01/25/2010 Edited by Martha Calhoon

Wordplay

Definitions for School Statistics

Pop quiz time: What's the difference between a Magnet School and a Charter School? Learn more about how we graded Portland-area schools with this cheat sheet of definitions.

01/25/2010 Edited by Martha Calhoon