News & City Life

Party for a Cause

Celebrate Portland Monthly’s 2019 Light a Fire Award Winners in Person

Get ready for all the feels at our 15th annual nonprofit and volunteer awards gala at the Oregon Convention Center November 21.

11/12/2019 By Kelly Clarke

Politics

Oregon's Lone Republican in Congress Is Bowing Out

After 30 years in Salem and DC, Rep. Greg Walden says he's done with politics.

10/28/2019 By Julia Silverman

LGBTQ+

Kate Brown Just Signed an Executive Order Protecting Gender Identity

The executive order also expands bathroom access at state buildings for those who are transgender, nonbinary or gender non-conforming.

10/25/2019 By Julia Silverman

Long Story Short

Meet Sara Boone, Portland’s New Fire Chief

“As kids, you let joy lead where you want to go.”

10/24/2019 By Fiona McCann

TriMet Troubles

People Are Really Mad at TriMet over Its New ‘Fare Inspectors’

Twitter to TriMet: Just a thought, maybe try going fareless instead?

10/23/2019 By Julia Silverman

Inspiring Creativity

Bringing Music Education Back to Oregon Schools

Through her nonprofit Music Workshop, Portlander Amy Richter harnesses the power of technology to lighten the load for strapped educators.

10/23/2019 By Brendan Nagle

Leveling the Field

This Nonprofit Brings Women Together to Invest in Women

The Women's Foundation of Oregon lifts women and girls throughout the state.

10/23/2019 By Fiona McCann

Do Gooders

The 15th Annual Light a Fire Winners Are Here

Honoring the nonprofits and people making Portland better for all

10/23/2019 Edited by Fiona McCann Illustrations by Sara Wong

Do Gooders

The 15th Annual Light a Fire Winners Are Here

Honoring the people making our city and state better for all

10/23/2019 Edited by Fiona McCann

Lifetime Achievement

This Portland Illustrator and Activist Has Been Working for LGBTQ Rights Since... Well, Forever

Rupert Kinnard joined the Portland Town Council, the first LGBTQ-rights umbrella group in Oregon, in the early ‘80s as its first black member.

10/23/2019 By Fiona McCann

Young Leader

This Woman Is Making College a Possibility for a New Generation of Portlanders

Margarita Gutierrez Lemus is the cochair of College Possible’s joint Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

10/23/2019 By Brendan Nagle

Extraordinary Volunteer

This Volunteer Has Fostered 18 Guide Dogs for the Blind Just Since 2016

Says Debi Hays: “They give me the dogs that are a ‘challenge.' I call them misunderstood.”

10/23/2019 By Kelly Clarke

Caring for Our Planet

How a 30-Year-Old Conservation Group Is Thwarting Developers and Protecting Pristine Forest Land

Columbia Land Trust now controls 45,000 acres along the Columbia River—where nothing will ever be built

10/23/2019 By Marty Patail

Most with the Least

This Tiny Group Makes Oregon Schools Safer for LGBTQ Students

Oregon Safe Schools is advocating for the city's LGBTQ students.

10/23/2019 By Margaret Seiler

Exceptional Community Contribution

This Portland Charter School Is Closing the Achievement Gap for Black and Brown Kids

KairosPDX is already seeing results.

10/23/2019 By Conner Reed

Best New Nonprofit 2019

How One New Portland Nonprofit Amplifies Immigrant Voices

The Immigrant Story shares the stories of some of the area’s new (or not so new) arrivals from afar.

10/23/2019 By Tiara Darnell

Game Changing Project

Meals on Wheels People Made a Hip, Midcentury-Mod Diner for Seniors

The nonprofit café serves community connection along with Reubens and house marionberry pie.

10/23/2019 By Kiva Hanson

Extraordinary Executive Director

Shari Dunn Helps Empower Oregon Women for Professional Success

Since 2015, Dunn has steered Dress for Success Oregon, offering women career coaching, interview and résumé preparation, and access to a professional wardrobe.

10/23/2019 By Tiara Darnell

Extraordinary Board Member

Becky Blumer Delivers Groceries and Kindness to Seniors and People with Disabilities

“I grew up in a small community where it felt like a given that people took care of each other.”

10/23/2019 By Conner Reed

People

Two Oregon Pilots Are Preparing for a 9,000-Mile Flight from Patagonia to Florida—On Vintage Airplanes

An airplane mechanic and a filbert farmer team up for a 9,000-mile journey.

10/23/2019 By Rich Reece Photography by Rick A. Brown