Julia is a former news editor for Portland Monthly.

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

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

Pod People

Parents Turn to ‘School Pods’ as Fall Approaches

With full-time school off the table, micro-school is firmly on it for some, while questions swirl about equity.

07/22/2020 By Julia Silverman

Black Lives Matter

A Second Wave of Protesters Joins the Fray in Portland

Donald Trump said he was sending in federal officers to calm down Portland. Instead, he has swelled the ranks of those fighting back.

07/21/2020 By Julia Silverman

To Market, To Market

A New, BIPOC-led Farmers Market Takes Root in Portland

The Come Thru market is also an incubator for farmers and artisans who are just getting started.

07/17/2020 By Julia Silverman

Outdoors

Here’s What You Need to Know about Outdoor Recreation during COVID-19

Should I wear a mask outside? Which trails should I avoid? Here’s our brief guide to outdoor etiquette in and around Portland.

07/10/2020 By Lauren Carlos, Gabriel Granillo, and Julia Silverman

Back to School?

As Coronavirus Cases Continue to Rise in Oregon, Hopes Dim for In-Person School

The Portland Association of Teachers says that unless COVID-19’s spread can be stopped, it’s not safe to open schools.

07/09/2020 By Julia Silverman

The Takeaway

Portland Restaurants Want to Cut the High Fees Charged by Delivery Apps

The Portland City Council has unanimously granted their request for temporary relief.

07/07/2020 By Julia Silverman

Summer Travel

This Year, Grown-Ups Can Go to Sleepaway Camp, Too

Picture-perfect Oregon overnight camps are pivoting to offer socially distant family cabin rentals.

07/03/2020 By Julia Silverman

Our Pandemic Year

Mask Up, Oregon: Coronavirus Is Not Going Away

One hundred days after imposing lockdown, Gov. Kate Brown strikes a grim note for fall and winter.

07/01/2020 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Call from a Contact Tracer

As testing ramps up in Oregon, more people will be hearing from their local public health departments .

06/26/2020 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

Businesses in Portland Finally Open Back Up, But Who Knows for How Long?

A few days after Multnomah County entered phase one, it's not yet business as usual.

06/23/2020 By Julia Silverman

Systemic Change

Beyond the Police: Progressive Organizers in Portland Try to Harness the Moment

At rallies and demonstrations, there's talk of universal preschool, tenants' rights, and more.

06/21/2020 By Julia Silverman

Portland Pride

Part of a Landmark LGBTQ Case, a Portland Teacher Finds Redemption

Brett Bigham took to Twitter to sort out his feelings about it all. A lot of people took notice.

06/17/2020 By Julia Silverman

Our Pandemic Summer

Your Burning Coronavirus Questions, Answered

Reading the tea leaves (a.k.a. data) on where Oregon goes from here

06/12/2020 By Julia Silverman

Black Lives Matter

Some Portland Theaters Are Opening Their Lobbies to Protesters in Need of a Recharge

Demonstrators can use the bathroom, power their phones, and get water and snacks.

06/10/2020 By Julia Silverman

For Your Consideration

Ask a (Teenage) Ethicist

It’s all a lot right now. Let one of Oregon’s teen Ethics Bowl competitors shed some light.

06/09/2020 By Julia Silverman

Black Lives Matter

Protesters in Portland Want Radical Action but Elected Officials Aren’t Quite There

Examining the disconnect between protester demands and proposed changes

06/04/2020 By Gabriel Granillo and Julia Silverman

Food For The People

Amid Unprecedented Strain on Portland Food Banks, a New Humanitarian Effort Is Here to Help

A local chapter of Washington, D.C.–based World Central Kitchen will deliver 200 meals a day to Latinx and Somali populations.

06/01/2020 By Julia Silverman

Hit List

Portland Restaurants Are Going Above and Beyond During the Pandemic

Takeout treasures we can't recommend enough.

06/01/2020 By Julia Silverman and Ben Tepler