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Ben McBee

Senior City Editor

Ben grew up in the Rogue Valley, attended the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism, and has written for publications like 1859 Magazine and Portland Monthly. He enjoys hiking the PNW, football and futbol, wildlife photography, any manner of libation exploration, and of course writing for PDXtoday.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation's pothole repair crew works on a large patch in the street.
City
Filling in the cracks on how potholes are patched in Portland
Keeping our city’s roads smooth is a monumental task, but you can pitch in.
January 31, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A child in a pink jacket and beanie navigates a rope and beam feature at the new playground in Errol Heights Park. An adult waits nearby to catch the child if they fall.
City
Errol Heights Park Project finishes, bringing inclusivity and improved access to nature in SE Portland
Upgrades to the 16-acre site in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood include a new playground and wildlife viewing spots.
January 30, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A hiker wearing a rain jacket walks along the Buxton Trussle, a 80-foot high bridge on the Banks-Vernonia State Trail. The bridge is level with trees and you can see a wooded January hillside in the background.
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Banks-Vernonia State Trail
Hikers, bikers, and horse riders can all enjoy this 21-mile path that winds its way along a former railroad bed through the scenic forested foothills of the Oregon Coast Range.
January 26, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
An English style cottage sits among trees on the left of a street with no sidewalk, where a green minvan and red car are parked on opposite sides of the street.
City
Welcome to Maywood Park, the enclave city located within Portland
It’s likely that you’ve never have heard of it, but about 829 people live on this 0.17 square miles of land, incorporated as a result of a historic clash with the Oregon Highway Commission.
January 24, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Jessie Fleming stands on the sideline of a soccer field wearing a blue jersey next to a referee holding a digital board.
Sports
Portland Thorns to pay record fee to sign Canadian midfielder Jessie Fleming
The club will surpass the NWSL transfer high mark to bring the talented 25-year-old over from Chelsea FC.
January 23, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Towering redwoods in Portland's Hoyt Arboretum reach high into the fog.
Culture
See the winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest
Plus, check out the runner-ups.
January 22, 2024
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
US 7th Fleet band performs at Sapporo Snow Festival on a stage made of snow.
Travel and Outdoors
Portland’s sister city: Sapporo, Japan
Set your sights on Hokkaido’s capital, which has rich sporting history and ramen culture, plus reasons to visit during all four seasons.
January 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Popcorn overflows from a clear glass bowl with Kiggins Bowl written in old fashioned red lettering on the outside.
Life’s a movie with these Portland area popcorn brands
Whether you’re partaking in National Popcorn Day on January 19 or simply looking for a salty or sweet snack, this is the place to start.
January 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Assorted seaweeds sit on a plate with blue swirly designs.
Events
Ride the regenerative seafood wave with Winter Waters
The second annual series raises awareness about farmed sea vegetables through culinary experiences.
January 16, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A three story cabin is covered in feet of snow and surrounded by equally covered trees.
Real Estate
Escape the cold and cozy up in these cabin rentals near Portland
Sometimes a change of scenery is a must.
January 16, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
An aerial shot shows a new neighborhood with a playground and outdoor recreation center nearly completed in Pleasant Valley, a neighborhood in Gresham.
Live
Predicting Portland real estate trends for 2024
Interest rates are set to fall, but what will prices do? Hear from one local expert.
January 12, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A rendering shows the design for Darcelle XV Plaza.
City
Darcelle XV Plaza will bring a sparkle to downtown Portland
Preliminary renderings show features like an outdoor stage and chandelier that will honor its namesake drag queen.
January 10, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
The US Bancorp Tower's windows reflect pinks of a sunset.
Culture
Pantone Color of the Year aesthetics in Portland
Peach Fuzz is the name, and kindness and tenderness are its game.
January 10, 2024
 · 
Katie Molck
A large crowd drinks and socializes at the outdoor music venue, Music Yard.
Play
Give these Charlotte live music venues a listen
We’ve made a concerted effort to orchestrate this roadmap, so you can focus on finding the artists you adore.
January 9, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A top down view of runners putting their feet into a circle on pavement decorated with a geometric chalk design.
Sports
Group runs to join no matter your pace
Whether you’re in it for the sweat or the socialization (or a little bit of both), there are plenty of options around Portland.
January 8, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Two people pose outdoors on the truffle hunting/meal tour.
Food
Shuffle out of town to try the new Truffle Trail
Indulge in curated experiences centered around the flavorsome fungi this Feburary through March in Newberg and Dundee.
January 8, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A packed crowd at Mississippi Studios from the stage's point of view
Events
Portland Music Month rocks the Rose City
Each January, MusicOregon curates more than 100 shows to cultivate a healthy music ecosystem and support local independent artists.
January 4, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Aji dulce pepper salad from Tartuca is plated on a black dish with a white puree and fennel.
Food
Vegan Dining Month is back and very delicious
Support local restaurants and a good cause.
January 4, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Little Crater Lake shines ultra blue, reflecting the surrounding forest.
Culture
PDXtoday’s 2023 wrapped
From how to cheer on the hometown teams to an immersive art experience, here is the content that our readers flocked to this year.
December 21, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
An above table view shows people passing around dishes during a traditional Kwanzaa feast.
Culture
Kwanzaa festivities to enjoy in Portland
The annual African American and pan-African celebration runs Dec. 26-Jan.1, culminating with Karamu, a communal feast.
December 21, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A blue and black Steller's jay, a bird with a pointy crest, sits on a shiny silver bird bath filled with snow with a peanut in its mouth.
Travel and Outdoors
Calling all citizen scientists for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count
The annual event helps the nonprofit monitor urban bird populations in Portland.
December 19, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A woman poses with a cute small dog at The Rambler in Portland, Oregon.
Business
Dos and don’ts of dining out with your dog
Hear directly from a member of the service industry in Portland.
December 15, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
An AI created image shows a Portland themed gingerbread house complete with a bicycle and roses.
Food
Take a bite out of the Portland gingerbread house of your dreams
See how AI imagines cookie Craftsman constructions in cities across the US.
December 15, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A signed "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" poster shows Guy Fieri and his message to Matt's BBQ, which says "Keep smokin'."
Culture
Portland restaurants featured on ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’
The Mayor of Flavortown has gotten a taste of the Rose City on many occasions.
December 13, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A search bar that says "What did Portland residents google most this year?" overlayed on a photo of Portland with Mount Hood in the background.
City
What Portlanders googled this year
2023’s Google Year in Search is out — check out what Portlanders were searching most this year (it might surprise you).
December 13, 2023
 · 
Brianna Williams
A sunrise shows Portland at dusk and Mount Hood silhouetted against a cloudy orange sky.
Live
The zodiac signs as Portland neighborhoods
Your home, your favorite coffee shop, your daily commute aren’t just written in the skyline — they may be written in the stars.
December 11, 2023
 · 
Bella Rainey
Two photos (a close up and environmental shot) show the new Vanport History Audibox in Portland.
City
Vanport’s history told by two new audioboxes in Portland
The freestanding exhibits tell stories in the voices of original residents.
December 7, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Several tall bronze statues supported by wood frames sit in a warehouse in Portland.
City
Help Portland City Council decide the fate of 5 statues removed during the 2020 protests
Your input will also help inform policy and decisions on future monuments and memorials in the Rose City.
December 7, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday_TeamPhoto_Cambrie_Alaina_Ben
Culture
Happy 2nd birthday to PDXtoday
And to our readers, two of the biggest high-fives (high-ten?) for being there with us the entire way.
December 5, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A scene on the streets of downtown Portland during the 1920s shows pedestrians in long coats.
City
Portland decades: the 1920s
The 1920s saw the Rose City build important infrastructure in the face of a declining economy and threats to social justice.
December 1, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
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