Ramona is a former Portland Monthly intern, research editor, and news and travel editor.

Hotel News

McMinnville Gets a Posh, Art-Filled Inn

With a drawing room, plush details, and a swanky-but-simple Bless Your Heart Burgers outpost, the new Atticus Hotel looks classy as hell.

03/28/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Classical Music

Cue the Drum Roll For Percussionist Colin Currie's Portland Finale

The Oregon Symphony's crowd-pleasing guest soloist prepares for the final concert of his three-year artist residency. There will be tears—and timpani.

03/28/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Real Estate 2018

Portland Neighborhoods by the Numbers 2018: The Suburbs

As Portland’s real estate market fizzles (kinda), the metro area sizzles. Hello, Scappoose—and we see you, Wood Village.

03/27/2018 Edited by Ramona DeNies

Real Estate 2018

Portland Neighborhoods by the Numbers 2018: The City

From Alameda to Woodstock, we’ve got the numbers you need to navigate Portland’s real estate market.

03/27/2018 Edited by Ramona DeNies

Real Estate 2018: Hot List

Every Portland Homebuyer Should Know These Neighborhoods Right Now

From high-density condos to suburban splendor, here's how to find what you want.

03/27/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Hunger in Oregon

Oregon’s Innovative Food Bank Longs for the Day It Shuts Down

But in a state with disturbingly high rates of food insecurity, it’s probably here for a while.

03/27/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Restaurant Openings

The North Oregon Coast Gets a Groovy Saloon (for Foodies)

The sleepy town of Wheeler is now home to a hip waterfront eatery obsessed with Tillamook food producers and under-the-radar Oregon wines.

03/14/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Wine Country

$6 Million Gift to Linfield College Aims to Professionalize Oregon's Wine Industry

The owners of Domaine Serene have had a good year—and they're funneling that fortune back into the Willamette Valley.

03/08/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Pour

An Ancient Middle Eastern Liquor Makes Its Oregon Debut

Distilled from imported Syrian anise and Willamette Valley pinot grapes, Oregon Arak has a foot in both worlds.

02/27/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Education

Private Schools in Portland, by the Numbers

From Montessori to language immersion to faith-based curriculum, local private schools enroll thousands of kids. Here's a snapshot of the metro area's specialized education options.

02/27/2018 Edited by Ramona DeNies

Global Comfort Food

We Asked 20 Portland Chefs and Foodies: What Tastes Like Home?

From hearty Haitian soups to pupusas, here's what makes these locals feel safe and loved—and where to score these touchstone eats.

02/27/2018 Edited by Kelly Clarke By Karen Brooks, Ramona DeNies, Zach Dundas, Rebecca Jacobson, Pechluck Laskey, Fiona McCann, Benjamin Tepler, and Tuck Woodstock

Field Notes

Go Hike This Ancient Gresham Volcano

Red-hot Hogan Butte once helped shape the Gorge. Now it's a tranquil nature park.

02/27/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Science

Off the Oregon Coast, Blue Whales Are Singing Deeper

But why?

02/27/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Opera

With David Adam Moore's Winterreise, Portland Opera Aims to Break Your Heart

Schubert probably didn't imagine his love-stricken final masterpiece rendered in floor-to-ceiling 3D projection mapping.

02/07/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Date Night PDX

25 Great Dates in and around Portland

Romantic evenings, chill times with a pal, roving parties, and trips for two: plan your next outing or overnight here.

01/30/2018 Edited by Eden Dawn By Hannah Bonnie, Kelly Clarke, Ramona DeNies, Zach Dundas, Rebecca Jacobson, Fiona McCann, Marty Patail, Anya Rehon, Margaret Seiler, Benjamin Tepler, and Eleanor Van Buren

Cannabis: Back to School

Sativa Science Club Builds an Ambitious Education Program for Budtenders

The Portland-based effort trains cannabis retailers in botany, taxonomy, and even etiquette—and it hopes to go national.

01/30/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Travel

Tour the High Desert (Wink, Wink) on Bend's Inhale Trail

Central Oregon gets savvy on cannabis tourism.

01/30/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Food Events

You Can Help Puerto Rico by Eating at This Lechonera Pop-Up

Portland restaurateur Andy Diaz lost his grandmother in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Now he's raising funds to make sure the hospice house where she died never loses power again.

01/29/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Fitness: Fight Club

Which Martial Art Is Right for You?

Navigating Portland's hurly-burly world of options just got a whole lot easier.

12/28/2017 By Ramona DeNies

Drink Here Now

4 New Portland Bars to Visit This Winter

Our city's latest crop of watering holes is wild, bright, and a little spooky.

12/28/2017 By Benjamin Tepler, Fiona McCann, Eleanor Van Buren, and Ramona DeNies