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

Bottoms Up

And the Drunkest City in Oregon Is…

A recent study reveals where the most heavy drinking happens in the Beaver State.

12/01/2023 By Dalila Brent

News

Will the Portland School Year End in July? Four Possibilities after the Strike

Students at Portland Public Schools have now missed school since November 1. What does that mean for summer break?

11/22/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Downtime

What, Exactly, Will Elite Thorns Soccer Players Do All Winter?

Yes, that might have been Reyna Reyes you saw at the Hawthorne New Seasons.

11/17/2023 By Ellee Thalheimer

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

AAPI Pride

Night Market Could Be Portland’s Biggest Ever Asian American Event

The collaboration between Portland Night Market and Asian American Town takes place November 3 and 4.

10/26/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Moon vs. Sun

An Annular Eclipse Graces Oregon Skies October 14

“Interesting but forgettable,” this is not the ring of fire Johnny Cash sang about.

10/05/2023 By Margaret Seiler

End of an Era

11 Portland Things We’d Trade to Keep Damian Lillard

The Trail Blazers phenom is off to the Milwaukee Bucks after 11 seasons in the Rose City.

09/28/2023 By Portland Monthly Staff

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

Sway

New Photo Book Excerpts: NBA Fashion Decoded, Blazers and All

Portland-born Mitchell S. Jackson leads a swashbuckling tour of NBA fashion.

09/18/2023 By Matthew Trueherz

Speed Traps

Don't Roll These Lights (Unless You Want a Ticket): A Map

Smile! New traffic-enforcement cameras designed to slow drivers down are in place across the city, including these Portland streets and intersections.

09/08/2023 By Portland Monthly Staff