The Little Joys of Summer

52 ways to savor every second of the season Also in this issue: The Strange History of the Mary Hill Museum, Black Lives Matter: The Voices, Summer Reads

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Little Joys of Summer

Throwback Drive-In Theaters Are Suddenly Perfect for 2020

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, drive-ins have elbowed their way back into the spotlight. Here's why.

08/01/2020 By Conner Reed

Little Joys of Summer

Movie Theaters Are Out. Backyard Flick Houses Are In.

Arts editor Conner Reed has a few suggestions for your backyard film fest.

08/01/2020 By Conner Reed

Slings & Arrows

The Path Forward for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival

“There’s a generation of people on the streets right now who are saying, ‘Everything has to shift. If you don’t shift it, we won’t come.’”

08/01/2020 By Conner Reed

Summer Reads 2020

"The History in My Blood" / "Something Sweet"

Excerpts from Mehta’s book Bad Indian, available now.

08/01/2020 By J. C. Mehta

Summer Reads 2020

City of Flowers

Oregon’s poet laureate ruminates on growth, rebirth—and swallowing bees

08/01/2020 By Anis Mojgani

New City

Summer Reads 2020

We asked Anis Mojgani, J.C. Mehta, and Mitchell S. Jackson to help us make sense of our changed city

08/01/2020 Edited by Conner Reed

Hill House

The Bizarre History of the Maryhill Museum of Art

How a motley crew spanning royalty and railroad execs built one of the Northwest's strangest cultural institutions.

08/01/2020 By Conner Reed

Eat & Drink

New Wave Okinawa

From the Minds Behind Nodoguro, Tonari Re-Spins Healthy Japanese Food

Tonari invites us in, if only for a few moments, to soak in not just joy but reflection.

08/01/2020 By Karen Brooks

The Little Joys of Summer

Here's What You Need Right Now to Party at a Distance

Celebrate local eateries and drink makers with your own backyard feast of homey takeout, icy drinks, and vividly flavored market finds.

08/01/2020 By Kelly Clarke

Vendgame

This East Burnside Vending Machine Is Raising the Bar for Quick Snacks

The Pix-O-Matic offers Pix Pâtisserie's wide selection of its trademark French-inflected delicacies.

08/01/2020 By Julia Silverman

Interview

"The Whole System Came Down. Let's Fix Everything."

Chef Gregory Gourdet on Top Chef, race, and rebuilding the food nation

06/18/2020 By Karen Brooks

Breaking News

Stacked Sandwich Mastermind Launches Grain Bowl Concept

Chef Gabriel Pascuzzi's Feel Good will double down on healthy, satisfying cooking in the Time of COVID.

05/18/2020 By Benjamin Tepler

Editor's Note

I’m a Sophomore Here at Portland Monthly, Going on Junior Year

Editor in Chief Marty Patail reflects on the magazine's shift to a quarterly publication amid coronavirus.

08/01/2020 By Marty Patail

Health & Wellness

July/August 2020

The Little Joys of Summer

Postponed trips and canceled plans leave plenty of time for smaller adventures.

08/01/2020 By Eden Dawn and Fiona McCann

Little Joys of Summer

Organize Your Own Virtual Run Across Oregon

The Oregon Run offers three different routes across the state. But with time and technology on our hands, you can also, in true Portland style, make your own.

08/01/2020 By Fiona McCann

Sex Positivity

Do You Dare to Eat a Peach?

The Oregon Health Authority advises against it.

08/01/2020 By Conner Reed

Home & Real Estate

Little Joys of Summer

Walk This Way toward Your Own Personal Portland Scavenger Hunt

Neighborhood walks aren't canceled this year, so add these spots to your route and explore the city.

08/01/2020 By Margaret Seiler Photography by Mike Novak

Little Joys of Summer

Might As Well Pick Up a Hobby This Summer

From book binding to wood burning, put these stay-at-home hours to good use and learn something new.

08/01/2020 By Marty Patail

Little Joys of Summer

Keep That New Victory Garden Looking Good With These Tips

We asked plant expert Wesley Younie for advice on keeping our gardens so fresh and so clean throughout the summer.

08/01/2020 By Eden Dawn

News & City Life

Global Fix

How Can Portland—And the US—Adapt to Our New Pandemic Planet?

From rent freezes to hazard pay, here are a few ideas from around the world worth considering.

08/01/2020 By Julia Silverman

Interview

Incoming City Commissioner Carmen Rubio on Her New Gig, Latinx COVID-19 Rates, and More

"I think you are hearing the community loud and clear tell us what they prioritize.... community justice ... public safety ... addressing root causes of systemic racism."

08/01/2020 By Denise Castañon

The Old College Try

Oregon Universities Are Facing a Sophie’s Choice When it Comes to Coronavirus

Open up, and place students at risk of contracting coronavirus, or stay closed, and face a financial freefall.

08/01/2020 By Beth Slovic

Drop Everything And Read

Demand for E-Books and Audiobooks Has Gone Bonkers at the Multnomah County Library

Tops on Portlander's list of required pandemic reading? Cozy old favorites, how-to and self-help tomes, and wise words from Michelle Obama.

05/01/2020 By Julia Silverman

Travel & Outdoors

Little Joys of Summer

Get Out of Town with These Daytime Drives

Bored at home? Take a spontaneous drive through scenic Oregon and be back in time for dinner.

08/01/2020 By Julia Silverman and Marty Patail

Trailer Lark

Social Distancing Was Already a Selling Point for Getaway House

Units come with everything you need to get away and stay away. But pro tip: BYO coffeemaker.

08/01/2020 By Margaret Seiler