In Memoriam

Darcelle Has Died. Long Live Darcelle.

Also known as Walter Cole, nightclub owner Darcelle held a Guinness World Record as “oldest living drag queen” for most of the past decade.

03/24/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Markets

Yes, Walmart and Green Zebra Are Closing. No, the World Isn’t Ending.

Portland is full of former grocery stores, from Kienow’s to Piggly Wiggly to lots of extraneous Safeways. Greg Abbott can chill.

03/15/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Bookshelf

The Author of Geek Love Left Behind an Extensive Body of Unpublished Work

The legendary Portland author, who died in 2016, left behind numerous unpublished short stories, and at least one novel. Her archive is at Lewis & Clark College.

02/21/2023 By Matthew Trueherz

Real Estate

Property Watch: A Modern Redesign of a Woodstock Cottage

Terrazzo floors, vaulted ceilings, and large windows are just a few of the upgrades in this Southeast Portland home.

02/20/2023 By Melissa Dalton

History Lesson

Arlington, MAC, University.... What’s the Deal with Portland’s Old Private Clubs?

From discrimination to policies, members to clubhouses, we take a deep dive into the history of the Rose City’s private clubs–and where there are now.

06/22/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Money & Politics

Who Is Donating in Portland City Council Elections?

With contributions capped, big players with names like Goodman, Kafoury, and Jubitz are writing small checks to candidates for city commissioner.

01/25/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Old Portland

That One Time Portland Was in ‘Sassy’ in 1991

30 years ago, teenage girls around the world learned about the Church of Elvis, the Bagdad, and the X-Ray Café.

09/29/2021 By Margaret Seiler

Eat This Now

7 Must-Try Hot Dog Hot Spots

Where to find the quintessential sausage of summer, whether you like yours Chicago-style, Coney-style, or topped with kimchi and mango.

07/09/2021 By Katherine Chew Hamilton and Nick Campigli

Feature

Can We Save the Lloyd Center?

The 61-year-old mall is not what it once was. But it still has a heartbeat.

06/06/2021 By Marty Patail

Nostalgia

Today’s Internet Artifact Is This 20-Year-Old ‘Portland Mercury’ Music Calendar

Some musicians have died, some have retired, and some would still have gigs this week if not for COVID-19.

05/30/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Feature

Meet the Poets Who Defined a Portland Era—and Are Still at It

“Poets value relationships. They value falling in love. They value things that don’t have money attached.”

10/23/2019 By Leanne Grabel

Editor's Note

From the Editor: What We Talk about When We Talk about Portland

Has our town gone to hell? Let's discuss.

08/14/2018 By Zach Dundas

Best Bars 2018: Our Bars, Ourselves

Want to Understand Portland? Get to Know These 10 Bars.

There are many great bars in this town, but these help you make sense of it.

08/14/2018 By Zach Dundas

In Memoriam

How Portland Mayor Vera Katz Took on the Epic Flood of '96

The late politician was mighty in many ways.

01/30/2018 By Carl Abbott

Obituary

Vera Katz Was the First Mayor of the Portland We Know Today

The Oregon political legend has died at 84. Her life was epic.

12/12/2017 By Zach Dundas

Dispatch

Can a New Portland Museum Save Chinatown’s History?

Before it's too late.

11/20/2017 By Emma Mannheimer

Music

Dead Moon's Fred Cole Was One of the Greatest Northwest Rock Singers Ever

The Portland legend died last week, but his unearthly frontier howl lives on.

11/13/2017 By Zach Dundas

Division/Clinton: Oddities

5 Places That Exist Only in Portland's Division/Clinton Neighborhood

You want Old Portland? We've got your Old Portland—and then some.

08/08/2017 Edited by Kelly Clarke