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 brewer husband and their two children.

Power Ranking

We Ranked Every McMenamins in and around Portland

The local brewery-winery-distillery-historic-hotel-theater-concert-hall-wedding-venue-etc. empire turned 40 in 2023, and we graded every one within 20 miles.

09/22/2023 By Dalila Brent, Arianne Cohen, Katherine Chew Hamilton, Isabel Lemus Kristensen, Michael Novak, Margaret Seiler, and Sam Stites

Public Transit

4 Fall Adventures around Portland with No Car

Leave the car at home for World Car Free Day—or just because gas is so expensive.

09/20/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Back Off, Idaho! A Visitor's Guide to Eastern Oregon

You Won't Forget the Bathrooms at the Imnaha Tavern

Two roadside bars out east are worth the (long) drive.

09/04/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Back Off, Idaho!

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play on a Road Trip to Eastern Oregon

Who knew La Grande was such a shopper’s paradise? A rodeo in Pendleton, vintage bling in La Grande, biscuits and gravy in Baker City, a historic hotel in Burns, plus hot springs.

09/04/2023 By Margaret Seiler and Sam Stites

Movers & Shakers

Perfect Portland Party: Fall 2023

From Love Is Blind’s Brett and Tiffany to a Succession star, here’s who’s invited to our fantasy dinner table.

08/29/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Getaway

Perfect Plan: Where to Eat, Stay, and Play (with or without Kids) in San Francisco

Reports of the city’s death have been greatly exaggerated.

08/03/2023 By Dalila Brent and Margaret Seiler

Ballers

Where (and When) to Watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Portland

We did the time zone math for you on when to watch soccer superstars kick off. Get ready to stay up late.

07/19/2023 By Margaret Seiler

BAONPDX

Portland Thorns and Other Local Connections at the Women’s World Cup

Who to root for throughout the tournament, where Soccer City, USA, will be fabulously well represented on the field

07/17/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Music

The PoMo Essential Summer 2023 Playlist

Summer songs from Portlanders old and new, and even a tribute to the city itself, to spin this season on our Spotify playlist, brought to you by Portland Monthly.

06/14/2023 By Matthew Trueherz and Margaret Seiler

Pride

Pride Parades and Events 2023: Portland Upgrades to 2 Months of Celebrations

The big parade moves to July, but June is still packed with Pride events, from the Portland Gay Men's Chorus Disney Show to the Queer Wine Fest.

06/08/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Movers & Shakers

Perfect Party: Summer 2023

From the first Goonie to win an Oscar (no, not Corey Feldman) to the Portland-snubbing Taylor Swift (the nerve!), here’s who’s invited to our table.

06/05/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Editor’s Note

From the Editor: What’s Your Favorite Part of Oregon Summer?

All hail suds and sundaes. And the free water show.

06/02/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Summer Fun

An Incomplete Guide to Portland’s Biggest Summer 2023 Concerts and Events

Feeling hungry like a wolf for live entertainment? Here’s your guide to the full monty of local shows.

06/01/2023 By Margaret Seiler and Sam Stites

Road Trips

Concerts and Events Worth a Trip Out of Town This Summer

Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, rodeos, big-time fairs, and more can be found in places around Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

05/24/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Going Yard

Portland Baseball by the Numbers: Hops, Pickles, and More

The stats on the new Hillsboro stadium, the wackiest Pickles promos, and the MLB dream that will never die.

05/24/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Thrills

Oaks Park vs. Enchanted Forest: Oregon Amusement Park Showdown

Which classic theme park is for you?

05/19/2023 By Margaret Seiler

La Grande to the Filipinas

Another Oregon Connection at the Women’s World Cup 2023

The Thorns aren’t the only links to home to keep track of this summer.

05/19/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Real Estate

Portland Neighborhoods by the Numbers 2023

Home sales prices, rent costs, crime numbers, and commute times for every neighborhood, from Linnton to Laurelhurst, Multnomah to Montavilla

05/18/2023 Edited by Margaret Seiler

Real Estate

Portland Suburbs by the Numbers 2023

The burbs are booming! Home sales prices, rent costs, demographics, and commute times for Ridgefield, Sandy, Hillsboro, and other Portland-area suburbs.

05/18/2023 Edited by Margaret Seiler

Adult Contemporary

Portland Has a Branding Problem: John Mellencamp’s Portland Video Not Portland

A video for the rocker’s terrible song about the homelessness crisis in Portland shows South Central LA, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.

05/17/2023 By Margaret Seiler