More News & City Life

Urban Energy

Has Portland Lost Its Vibe?

An essayist chronicles the city’s shifting ambience over 15 years from his perch in Northeast Portland, and how to get our groove back.

12/04/2023 By William Deresiewicz Illustrations by Kelsey Dake

Turkey Thought

Quiz: How Portland Is Your Thanksgiving?

Is your holiday Rose City to its core? Take the test to find out.

11/16/2023 By Dalila Brent

Book Business

Wanna Work at Powell’s Books? The Competition Is Steep.

5 booksellers who redefine “relevant prior experience.”

11/08/2023 By Matthew Trueherz Illustrations by Matty Newton

Psychology

Scientists Discover the Portland Personality

Our city is low on one critical trait, and it explains everything.

11/01/2023 By Arianne Cohen Illustrations by Chris Gash

Culture

Want to Support the Arts? 7 Steps to Becoming an Arts Benefactor (Yes, You)

Prolific arts donor Ronni Lacroute tells us how to become a rookie arts benefactor.

09/25/2023 By Arianne Cohen Illustrations by Lars Leetaru

Essay

He's Thought about This Death of a Houseless Man Since 1987

A murder during Portland's homelessness surge three decades ago tells us about the city today. A writer has wrestled with his proximity to it ever since.

09/23/2023 By Bill Donahue Illustrations by katherine lam

Urban Life

How to Actually Interact with Houseless Neighbors

Be respectful, practice kindness, and say ‘knock-knock.’

09/21/2023 By Hannah Wallace

Helping Others

How One Portland Neighborhood Partnered with a Homeless Encampment

Faced with an influx of homeless neighbors, a Southeast Portland neighborhood association got creative.

09/21/2023 By Hannah Wallace

Interview

In Noise Hell? This Portland Sound Engineer Has Heard It All Before.

But Tobin Cooley can’t help with that earworm that’s stuck in your head.

09/20/2023 By Arianne Cohen Photography by NashCO Photo

You've Got a Fast Car

More Traffic Cameras—and Tickets—Come to Portland

New cameras and police traffic teams are revving up to slow you down. And that’s a good thing.

09/08/2023 By Erika Bolstad

Q & A

Ripping the City with Elan Hagens

The mycophile and Portland native dishes on her favorite Portland spots and the worst advice she's ever received.

08/09/2023 By Dalila Brent

Pride

Pride Parades and Events 2023: Portland Upgrades to 2 Months of Celebrations

The big parade moves to July, but June is still packed with Pride events, from the Portland Gay Men's Chorus Disney Show to the Queer Wine Fest.

06/08/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Essay

The Deschutes River Became My Therapist and Healer

"The pain I fought, the darkness I navigated, and the loneliness I endured as a navy veteran fighting PTSD would leave my body the closer I got to the river to fly-fish."

06/08/2023 By Chad Brown