The History Issue

Sensational Tales of Old Portland Portland grew up drinking whiskey (washed down with skullduggery) in Wild West saloons. We came of age battling for cash, prestige, and principles. Worrying about“keeping the city weird?” Don’t. As these tales reveal, Portland has always been stranger, bloodier and more fascinating than you ever imagined.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

THE PROFESSIONAL

The Ballad of Pete Krebs: One Legendary Musician Unites Decades of Portland Music

Close to fame, close to death, or just playing close to home, the songwriter’s saga ties local music together.

11/23/2015 By Ryan White

ICYMI: A YEAR IN THE ARTS

The Books, Albums, and Moments that Defined Portland Culture in 2015

A look back at a year full of romantic proposals, laughs, and big-budget productions

11/23/2015 By Fiona McCann

'TIS THE SEASON

9 Shows and Stage Spectaculars to Make the Holidays Last All Month Long

Behold, our roundup of festive events to carry you through the jolly season.

11/23/2015 By Fiona McCann

A NEW HOPE

How A Couple of Portland Guys Saved Star Wars

OK, we exaggerate. By a lot. But when JJ Abrams calls to chat about his movie, it’s natural to jump to hyperbole.

11/23/2015 By Peter Holmstrom

BIG PICTURE

How Portland's Own Hipster Barbie Became An Internet Sensation

Socality Barbie inspired us all to feel a little more #blessed in 2015—for being the butt of an Instagram parody, that is.

11/23/2015 By Rachel Sandstrom

Eat & Drink

EAT HERE NOW

Scottie's Pizza Parlor's Pie Fidelity

A new Division Street pizza parlor spreads the gospel of the “corner slice.”

11/23/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

COCKTAIL RECIPE

Teardrop's Cocktail Onions Will Transform Your Holiday Drinks

Peel back the layers of the Gibson cocktail with this DIY garnish.

11/23/2015 By Rachel Ritchie

WORD OF MOUTH

6 PDX Restaurants and Bars You Must Show Off to Holiday Visitors this Month

Portland Monthly food critic Karen Brooks dishes on where to take friends and family for winter libations and celebrations.

11/23/2015 By Karen Brooks

EAT HERE NOW

The Zipper's Tiny Restaurant Row Is Calling with Falafel and Whiskey

Three reasons to visit Portland’s newest microrestaurant cluster, where communal dining lives large.

11/23/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

A Picture-Perfect Meal from the Land of Ice and Snow

Dig in to our very Scandinavian holiday buffet, with festive recipes, inspired seasonal décor, and a jul glögg to remember.

11/20/2015 By Kelly Clarke and Benjamin Tepler

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

Holdfast Brown Bread and Fenrir Pickled Mackerel

A pair of the city’s finest Scan-leaning outfits tackle two Julbord classics: dense spice-laden bread and pickled fish.

11/20/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

A Decadent Scandinavian Holiday Casserole

Maurice's Kristen Murray shares the recipe for her great-grandmother’s sillgratin.

11/20/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

Broder Swedish Meatballs and Holdfast Braised Pork Coppa with Cabbage and Mustard Dill Cream Sauce

Portland’s Scan institution’s hallowed balls and a hearty pork dish from a Nordic-inspired pair make for an irresistible holiday buffet centerpiece.

11/20/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

Maurice Persimmon Cookies with Cardamom Brown Butter Icing and Ross Fogelquist’s Jul Glogg

Sweeten up your party with old-school Scan cookies and a mulled wine recipe from a local knighted by the King of Sweden.

11/20/2015 By Kelly Clarke

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

Make Nordic Holiday Punch for a Crowd

Say cheers in true Scandinavian style with bartender Jacob Grier’s bright, fizzy, aquavit-assisted winter punch.

11/20/2015 By Kelly Clarke

Home & Real Estate

WEED

How to Design a Portable Vaporizer

Designer James Monsees tells us how the PAX changed the game.

12/23/2015 By Portland Monthly Staff

DESIGN

The Posh Remodel of Old Town's Society Hotel

A former flophouse gets a fancy update.

11/23/2015 By Megan Haverman

News & City Life

THE HISTORY ISSUE

The Heroes, Villains & Rogues Who Shaped Portland

Worrying about “keeping the city weird?” Don’t. As these tales reveal, Portland has always been stranger, bloodier and more fascinating than you ever imagined.

11/23/2015 Edited by Zach Dundas

THE SHAKEDOWN

How Qualified Is Ted Wheeler, Really?

Oregon’s state treasurer is now running for Portland mayor. We size up the pros and cons.

11/23/2015 By Marty Patail

PDX INDEX

Oregon's Biggest News Headlines of 2015

An imploding governor, a booming economy, and earthquake dread: ’twas a strange year indeed!

11/23/2015 By Megan Haverman

SCIENCE

How One Seriously Cool Kids Chemistry Set Is Getting Girls Into Science

Yellow Scope's rigorous science kits step away from the pink and towards STEM gender equality.

11/23/2015 By Marty Patail

HOLIDAYS

Oregon's Massive Christmas Tree Industry Gets Ready for a Record Holiday Season

5 things you didn't know about the nation's #1 Christmas tree producing state. (That's us!)

11/23/2015 By Ramona DeNies and Rachel Grozanick

HISTORY

The Visionary Parks Designer Who Transformed Portland

The unlikely tale of the power brokers, rebellious hippies, and genius architect behind Portland’s first modern neighborhood

11/23/2015 By Randy Gragg

BLOOD & INK

The Portland Newspaper Wars of the 1960s

At the dawn of modern media, a ruthless tycoon and a ragtag band of reporters waged a desperate battle for control of Portland’s news.

11/23/2015 By Caleb Diehl

DIE, VERMIN!

This is the Woman Who Saved Portland from the Black Death

Dr Esther Pohl endeavored to kill all of Portland's rats to save the city—and succeeded.

11/23/2015 By Merilee Karr

HIGH ALTITUDE HATERS

Which Portland Newspaper Magnate Climbed Mt Hood First?

Portland’s most awkward collegial dispute ever rages on, more than 150 years later: who conquered the mountain?

11/23/2015 By Rick Conrad

AXIS & ALLIES

The American Pilot

The story of Hazel Ying Lee, first Chinese American woman to fly for the US military.

11/23/2015 By Bill Lascher

AXIS & ALLIES

The Imperial Minister

As combat raged around the world, one Oregonian became a war criminal.

11/23/2015 By Bill Lascher

OUR PATRON SAINT

The Scandalous History of Booze in Portland

From the whiskey-swilling frontier days to Prohibition’s battling “dries” and rumrunners, booze formed Portland’s civic soul.

11/23/2015 By Zach Dundas

LONG STORY SHORT

Oregon Auctioneer Johnna Wells Continues the Family Legacy

How one woman found her calling as an auctioneer for Northwest nonprofits.

11/16/2015 By Sarah Z. Wexler

Style & Shopping

SHOPPING

We've Got All the Seasonal Artisanal/Local Holiday Bazaars, Pop-Ups, and Markets You Can Handle, Portland

The city's de facto festival of awesome short-run indie shopping has begun! Crafty Wonderland, Pop-Up Shop PDX, and more!

12/01/2015 By Alex Madison

VENTURES

What the Sale of Stumptown Coffee and Big Pink Mean for Portland Business

In 2015, five huge deals vaulted the Portland economy into a new era.

11/23/2015 By Brandon Staley

THE WISH LIST

Portland Monthly's 2015 Gift Guide

13 local gifts for the discerning giver, from local vinyl to the perfect leather watch

11/23/2015 By Eden Dawn

Travel & Outdoors

NORTHWEST GETAWAYS

3 Winter Destinations to Cure Your Cabin Fever

From storm-watching escapes to a trio of Oregon hot springs, we've got your answer to seasonal wanderlust.

11/23/2015 By Rachel Ritchie