Julia is a former news editor for Portland Monthly. 

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

COVID-19

CDC Recommends Masking in Multnomah as BA. 5 Spreads

The CDC says people in high risk counties, including in the Portland area, should consider wearing a mask indoors as local authorities track the new variants.

07/12/2022 By Fiona McCann and Julia Silverman

Style and Shopping

5 Portland Stores Where You Can Find Your Perfect Summer Swimsuit

Need to switch up your bathing suit? Shop local at these Rose City retailers, including two that will custom-make a suit for you from sustainable fabrics.

06/23/2022 By Margaret Seiler and Julia Silverman

Books, Books, Books

Portland's Flagship Downtown Library Is Getting a Face-Lift—And Closing for 3 Months!

The Multnomah County Central Library building will be closed to the public from August 1 to November 1 for a face-lift.

06/21/2022 By Julia Silverman

Greenspaces

A Celebration of Portland Parks

A thank-you note to the hiking trails of Forest Park, the playground of Wilshire and Arbor Lodge, the smell of roses in Washington and Peninsula Parks, and more

06/17/2022 Edited by Julia Silverman By Michelle Harris, Fiona McCann, and Margaret Seiler

Real Estate

Here's Where Home Prices Rose Fastest in the Portland Metro Area This Spring

After a torrid spring, the Portland real estate market cooled off in May. Last month, Lake Oswego and West Linn ruled. This month, there's a new leader.

06/10/2022 By Julia Silverman

Weddings

With Pandemic Do-Over Celebrations, Oregon's Summer Wedding Season Is Busier Than Ever

Sequel weddings, vow renewals, or happily-ever-after parties: those who got married with just a few guests or over Zoom are seeking a second event.

06/08/2022 By Julia Silverman

Oregon Coast

Food, Vintage Finds, and Ecola State Park: The Many Wonders of Cannon Beach

Gaze at Haystack Rock, enjoy fine dining and breweries, and hike in Ecola State Park in this beach town close to Portland.

06/07/2022 By Julia Silverman

Oregon Coast

Find Funky Towns, Fancy Chowder, and More from Manzanita to Pacific City

For a day trip or a weekend getaway, the towns, tastes, and trails around Nehalem, Tillamook, and Netarts Bays and the Three Capes are worth the drive from Portland.

06/07/2022 By Fiona McCann and Julia Silverman

Stranger Things

Is Clackamas County the Florida of Oregon?

Could Clackamas County be to Oregon what Florida is to the rest of the United States? As the ballot counting finally winds down, signs point to maybe.

06/02/2022 By Julia Silverman

Real Estate

6 Portland Homes that Went for Waaaaay Over Asking Price

Here are the houses that flew off the market in April of 2022.

05/31/2022 By Julia Silverman

Portland Parks

Best Concerts, Comedy Shows, Movies & Festivals at Portland Parks This Summer

Park events are back, and in a big way. From Esperanza Spalding to DJ Prashant, here are our picks for a few of the season’s finest at Portland’s greenspaces.

05/27/2022 By Julia Silverman

Portland Parks

Where Parks Are More Than Just Playgrounds and Ballfields

A Q&A with Jon Blasher, director of parks and nature for Metro, on balancing the urgency of access to nature for all with habitat preservation

05/27/2022 By Julia Silverman

Business

A New Generation of Footwear Start-Ups Takes their Shot in Portland

Many of the Rose City-based brands have founders with roots at Nike, Adidas and Columbia—like Velous, which is making recovery sandals

05/26/2022 By Julia Silverman

Tourism

Rose City Rebrand: Translating the Story of a City at a Crossroads to Tourists

Influencers, New York Times ads, and some carefully chosen (and controversial) versions of the city and its people–and why that matters for the rest of us.

05/24/2022 By Julia Silverman

Public Transit

On the Hunt for New Drivers, TriMet Dangles a $7,500 Hiring Bonus

A job fair this week produced conditional, on-the-spot job offers for 100 people, as the Portland transit agency tries to stem service disruptions.

05/18/2022 By Julia Silverman

Festival

The Rose Festival Is Back in Portland, in Person, for 2022

The numbers behind the 115-year-old city festival, featuring parades, clowns, Rose Festival Queen drama, and the occasional Oregon Zoo elephant

05/18/2022 By Julia Silverman

Elections

3 Key Takeaways from an Unpredictable Primary Election Night in Oregon

Money isn't everything, incumbents hang on, and Oregon's year of the woman shapes up with Kotek, Drazan, McLeod-Skinner, and Chavez-DeRemer leading their races.

05/17/2022 By Julia Silverman

Real Estate

Portland Real Estate Guide 2022

A look at the numbers on home sales from Arbor Lodge to Argay, Bridlemile to Buckman, Laurelhurst to Lents, Canby to Camas, plus the skinny on the market fr...

05/16/2022 Edited by Julia Silverman By Melissa Dalton, Cami Hughes, Fiona McCann, Karly Quadros, Conner Reed, and Margaret Seiler

Real Estate

Portland Neighborhoods by the Numbers 2022

Home sales prices, rent costs, demographics, crime statistics, and commute times for every neighborhood, from the Pearl to Parkrose, Hillsdale to Hazelwood

05/16/2022 Edited by Margaret Seiler and Julia Silverman