Julia is a former news editor for Portland Monthly. 

Crafting

Macramé Is Having a Moment

Author and macramé artist Emily Katz’s N Williams shop, Modern Macramé, offers classes and workshops in macramé, crochet, and more.

08/23/2022 By Julia Silverman

City Government

Here's What You Need to Know about the Effort to Overhaul City Government in Portland

Charter reform will be on the ballot, not everyone's in favor, and if it passes City Hall will never be the same.

08/22/2022 By Julia Silverman

Wildfires

Wildfire Season in Oregon Has Been Low-Key...So Far

But with hot, dry weather ahead and fires burning around beloved Waldo Lake, that might not last.

08/17/2022 By Julia Silverman

Politics

A New Survey Suggests Abortion Could Be a Key Issue in Oregon This Fall

A new survey suggests most voters support reproductive rights, and they're motivated to turn out and vote.

08/16/2022 By Julia Silverman

Houselessness

A New Tiny-Home Village for the Houseless Is Opening Soon in Portland

The project is run by the nonprofit WeShine, one of a small but growing number of nongovernmental organizations that are getting managed villages populated by tiny sleeping pods.

08/15/2022 By Julia Silverman

Retail Therapy

10 Portland Stores on Our Radar Screens Right Now

From new boutiques to old favorites in new spaces to under-the-radar spots, head to these Rose City gems the next time you need to scratch your shopping itch.

08/11/2022 By Julia Silverman

Home Remodel

A Manzanita House with a History Gets a Game Changer of a Makeover

Out went the beige carpet and surfboard décor, in came built-ins, nautical curves, and a spa bathroom in this beach house on the Oregon Coast

08/11/2022 By Julia Silverman Photography by George Barberis

Real Estate 2022

Is the Portland Housing Market Getting More Buyer Friendly?

Signs point to yes, even though home sale prices in Portland, Oregon, are still near historic highs.

08/10/2022 By Julia Silverman

Light A Fire

Your Favorite Portland Nonprofit Deserves an Award, Right?

Know of a nonprofit that deserves recognition? Nominations are now open for Portland Monthly’s annual Light a Fire awards!

08/10/2022 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

A New COVID Vaccine Is Headed for Oregon this Fall

About 76 percent of the state’s residents got at least an initial dose of a COVID vaccine. Here's how public health officials are gearing up for this round.

08/04/2022 By Julia Silverman

Politics

In Normally Sleepy August, the Oregon Governor's Race Heats Up

All three gubernatorial candidates are out with TV ads. We break them down.

08/03/2022 By Julia Silverman

City Hall

Is Sam Adams Portland’s Shadow Mayor?

The former mayor is back at city hall, and calling an awful lot of shots. 

07/29/2022 By Julia Silverman

Heat Wave

Are Oregonians Learning to Love Air Conditioning?

As temperatures rise , new data from the federal government suggests that the answer is yes.

07/27/2022 By Julia Silverman

Real Estate

Every Portland Suburb in a Nutshell

Beaverton to Wood Village, Camas to Wilsonville.

07/26/2022 By Julia Silverman, Matthew Trueherz, Conner Reed, and Dalila Brent

Travel

This Tiny 'Cocoon Cottage' on the Oregon Coast Isn't Quite Open Yet, But It’s Already TikTok Famous

The owner’s other handbuilt Airbnb rentals include a giant potato in Idaho, a hobbit hole in Washington, and a treehouse in Hawaii.

07/21/2022 By Julia Silverman

Summer

5 Oregon-Made Sunscreens for the Dog Days of Summer

From Portland to Bend, these brands from the Beaver State have you covered when it comes to sun protection.

07/21/2022 By Julia Silverman

Design

Gresham's New Library Could Be Our Starchitect Moment

Designers of the new 95,000 square foot East County flagship branch, which is set to open in 2025, are shooting for the moon.

07/18/2022 By Julia Silverman

Real Estate

Housing Inventory in Portland Is Rising: Which Quadrant Had the Biggest Spike?

New numbers show a sharp rise in available homes to buy in June, as pending sales take a dip.

07/14/2022 By Julia Silverman

Dining Picks

Portland's Best Ice Cream

Our go-to shops for scoops, sundaes, frozen pops, gelato, and vegan ice cream, with Cloud City, Kulfi, Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, and, of course, Salt & Straw

07/13/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Julia Silverman, and Matthew Trueherz

Nature

Multnomah County Is Facing Its Largest Mosquito Outbreak since 2010

And ecologists say the worst is yet to come from these insects that can cause itchy bugbites, malaria, and West Nile virus. Gulp.

07/13/2022 By Julia Silverman