Senior editor Rebecca Jacobson steers Portland Monthly’s news and city life coverage and writes about the more-than-human world, history, and arts and culture. She previously served as the magazine’s arts editor and digital editor. A former editor at Willamette Week and The Berliner as well as a contributor to several Wildsam field guides, she has an MFA in creative writing from the University of Montana.

Water Works

Inside Portland’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Rain is central to our civic identity. And we’ve gotten pretty good at dealing with it.

10/12/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Margaret Seiler Illustrations by Sam Island

seeing things

Things to Do in Portland This Week

Swan Lake, Circa dance troupe, and Día de Muertos onstage, plus a Treevia Night.

10/08/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson, Andrew Jankowski, and Margaret Seiler

Fauna

Getting to Know the Great Blue Heron, Portland’s Official City Bird

Bud Clark made the designation in 1986. Sorry, swifts.

10/07/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

PDX Index

Running the Numbers on 60 Years of Outdoor School

The beloved program takes kids out of the classroom and into the woods.

10/05/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

Hoops

How the Portland Fire Made Me a Sports Fan

The city has a WNBA team again, and I'm all in.

09/21/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

In the Trees

8 Essential Forest Park Hikes for Any Portland Explorer

First-timer? Super athlete? Bird-watcher? We’ve got a trail for you.

09/08/2026 By Brian Barker, Rebecca Jacobson, and Benjamin Tepler

Things to Do

The Best Shows and Events in Portland, September 2026

Dolly Parton tributes, the Time-Based Art Fest, Indigenous Australian art at PAM, Bikini Kill, and Rose City Comic Con.

09/01/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Margaret Seiler

Bike Summer

Check Out These August Pedalpalooza Rides

Learn about levees, honor Dolly Parton, or sign up for a scavenger hunt.

08/25/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Margaret Seiler

Recap

Top Performances of Pickathon 2026

Including a Portland cumbia group and Sam Cooke’s granddaughters.

08/11/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

Think Pink

A Coos Bay–Born Showgirl Bets on a Scrappy Corner of Old Town

Welcome to the newly christened Pink Light District.

08/11/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

Things to Do

The Best Shows and Events in Portland, August 2026

Milwaukie’s Little Float, Mount Tabor’s Soapbox Derby, Pioneer Courthouse Square concerts, and the end of the Lloyd Center.

08/01/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson, Margaret Seiler, Dan Engler, and Matthew Trueherz

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in August

Beach volleyball in Seaside, watermelon seed spitting competitions in Hermiston, and Pig-N-Ford races in Tillamook.

07/28/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Advice Booth

8 Tips for Surviving and Thriving at Pickathon

First, shoes. Second, forget about catching every band. Third, baby wipes.

07/22/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

Procrastinators Unite

9 First-Come-First-Served Campgrounds for Last-Minute Adventures

Did you fail to reserve your spot six months ago when summer felt so far away? All is not lost.

07/16/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Things to Do

The Best Shows and Events in Portland, July 2026

The Hollywood Theatre turns 100, Pride, Pickathon, and competitive fencing.

07/01/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson, Margaret Seiler, and Matthew Trueherz

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in July

Chainsaw races, lavender trails, a hazelnut festival, and dory boats on parade.

06/29/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Queer Bars

Portland’s Best LGBTQ+ Bars, Clubs, and Parties

Historic gay bars, iconic drag revues, and roving lesbian dance parties, these are the top spots to celebrate Pride in Portland.

06/17/2026 By Andrew Jankowski, Rebecca Jacobson, and Portland Monthly Staff

Maximum Fun

The 22 Best Summer Events in Oregon

When it comes to festivals and fairs, our state doesn't mess around.

06/05/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson Illustrations by Davide Comai

Seeing Things

The Best Shows and Events in Portland, June 2026

Kristina Wong, Broadway’s Mamma Mia, a rodeo, and a bike play.

06/01/2026 By Matthew Trueherz, Rebecca Jacobson, and Margaret Seiler