Margaret Seiler helps keep Portland Monthly clear, readable, and grammatically correct. She also writes about local politics, history, sports (from the Thorns to Tonya Harding), and her hobby of extreme transit. The native Kentuckian landed in Oregon after youth-hostelling her way around the continent (before cell phones!) and worked at Willamette Week and the Portland Tribune before joining Portland Monthly in 2010. She lives in North Portland with her family.

Power Ranking

How Does I, Tonya Rank against Other Figure Skating Films?

With the Tonya Harding biopic now in theaters, we take a hard look at nearly a century's worth of skating movies.

12/20/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Profile

Tonya Harding Is Back—on the Ice, and on the Silver Screen

With I, Tonya hitting theaters as an unlikely shot at redemption, we spent a day with the champ. She landed some doubles, talked motherhood, and jump-started a Hyundai.

12/20/2017 By Margaret Seiler Photography by Holly Andres

Light a Fire 2017: Extraordinary Volunteer

Portlander Alan Koch and Maggie the Dog Bring Furball Therapy to All

For Our House regulars, one’s ready to talk, one’s ready to snuggle.

10/16/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Light a Fire 2017: Inspiring Creativity

With Airport Cinema, Hollywood Theatre Gives Oregon Filmmakers a Global Audience

Up next? The nonprofit is buying Movie Madness.

10/16/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Breaking News

Hollywood Theatre to Buy Movie Madness

A marriage made in film geek heaven? The nonprofit cinema launches a Kickstarter campaign to purchase the SE Belmont institution, one of the last, best video stores in the universe.

10/11/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Wildfires

Beyond Eagle Creek: So Much Fire, So Close to Home

Yes, the Columbia Gorge is our backyard. But that fire is small potatoes compared to blazes elsewhere in Oregon.

09/08/2017 By Margaret Seiler

The Other Districts

A Look at Portland’s Metro-Area School Districts—Other Than PPS

Together, these surrounding districts educate nearly four times as many students.

06/30/2017 By Margaret Seiler and Zach Dundas

PPS 411

Portland Public Schools Is in a State of Flux. What Do Parents Need to Know?

From boundary reviews to bond campaigns, here’s the 411 on PPS.

06/30/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Family

20+ Ideas for Family Fun in Portland

We’ve got 10 gold-standard destinations and off-the-radar alternatives that will blow your little ones’ little minds.

06/30/2017 Edited by Fiona McCann By Zach Dundas, Margaret Seiler, and Kelly Clarke

Ideas & Innovations 2017: Necessary, Period

This Portland Nonprofit Leads the Menstrual Movement

Founded by two Catlin Gabel students, Period provides menstrual products, educates young people, and lobbies for change.

06/12/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Beer Guide 2017: Fresh Pints

Portland's 8 Best New Spots to Drink Beer

From experimental one-offs to dreamy patios, here are our favorite places for a pint right now.

06/12/2017 By Marty Patail, Rebecca Jacobson, Ramona DeNies, Zach Dundas, Meagan Nolan, Margaret Seiler, and Kelly Clarke

Sports

On Twin Peaks Night, the Pickles Are Not What They Seem

The amateur baseball team’s promos are taking us back—to the ’90s, the ’70s, and the 1860s!

06/07/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Editor's Note

In Response to the MAX Attacks

Here's what we've read and seen from local and national news sources about last week's fatal stabbings.

05/31/2017 By Zach Dundas and Fiona McCann

Pour

5 Essential New Portland Patios for Summer 2017

The sun is coming. Here's where to soak it up, drink in hand.

05/15/2017 Edited by Benjamin Tepler By Fiona McCann, Kelly Clarke, and Margaret Seiler

Books

Staying Gold: S. E. Hinton on The Outsiders at 50

Before her author appearance at Powell’s, she talks Tulsa, Trump, and Rob Lowe.

05/11/2017 By Margaret Seiler

State Parks

Camp in a National Monument for the Eclipse? Yes, We Can!

In exchange for a week of eclipse prep and crowd control, a few select volunteers can camp at the John Day Fossil Beds.

05/01/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Travel

Your Essential Travel Guide to Central and Eastern Oregon

Barn cinemas. Desert hot springs. Extreme eclipse preppers. There's more to this state than the Left Coast and I-5 corridor. Head east.

04/17/2017 Edited by Margaret Seiler

Travel

Your Essential Travel Guide to Central and Eastern Oregon

Barn cinemas. Desert hot springs. Extreme eclipse preppers. There's more to this state than the Left Coast and I-5 corridor. Head east.

04/17/2017 Edited by Margaret Seiler

The Other Oregon: Calendar

From Rodeos to Brewfests, the Best Events in Central and Eastern Oregon

The rest of the state is buzzing. Get out there.

04/17/2017 By Margaret Seiler

The Other Oregon: Eclipse on 26

The Total Solar Eclipse Is Coming to Oregon. Hope You Made Plans.

The John Day Fossil Beds and the Strawberry Mountains get some serious shade August 21.

04/17/2017 By Margaret Seiler