6AM City In-house

Every rose has its thorn 🌹

Merritt Paulson announces decision to sell Portland Thorns
The exterior of a circular soccer stadium with an "onward Rose City" sign under a cloudy sky.
Peregrine Sports LLC operates Providence Park in Southwest Portland. | Photo by @benmcbeephoto
The Portland Thorns are up for sale.

Merritt Paulson, the owner of the Thorns and Timbers, made the announcement barely a month after the NWSL team clinched a record third championship title. He is reportedly seeking upwards of $60 million.

Paulson, who has owned the Thorns since the NWSL was formed in 2013, told The Oregonian/Oregon Live the decision to sell has been a difficult one he’s weighed for weeks, ultimately concluding that the team needs “a powerful owner at the league level” who will seal their place as leaders in women’s sports.

A $1 million donation to the NWSL will be included in the Thorns’ sale to support the launch of the league’s Player Safety Department. But he also plans to patiently wait for the right buyer to come along.

“We are committed to continue to work collaboratively with the NWSL to ensure we find the right group to take the reins,” Paulson said in a statement. “We will not rush to a decision as we want to get it right for our players, for Portland and for women’s soccer.”

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman expressed her support for the decision to sell the Thorns, adding that the team, its fans, and the community of Portland “have played a key role in our league’s first decade and are critically important to the future success of the NWSL.”

The Thorns’ sale will not impact Paulson’s ownership of his MLS franchise, the Portland Timbers, though the transaction will separate the Thorns from the shared PTFC club. He said the club’s operating entity, Peregrine Sports LLC, will work with the Thorns’ new ownership — which he hopes will be woman-led — to keep the club in Portland on Providence Park turf.
Unique Markets

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Friday, Dec. 2
  • Snow Day | Friday, Dec. 2-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Ace Hotel, 403 SW 10th Ave., Portland | Free | Trek through a colorful winter wonderland and browse wrapping paper, gift bags, tree ornaments, yard decor, and tons of never-before-seen Mike Bennett merch.
  • A Celtic Christmas with the Gothard Sisters | Friday, Dec. 2-Saturday, Dec. 3 | 8 p.m.-10 p.m. | The Old Church Concert Hall, 1422 SW 11th Ave., Portland | $15-$30 | Celebrate the start of the holiday season with music, dance, and stories from the internationally acclaimed Celtic folk trio.
  • The Brewery Comedy Tour | Friday, Dec. 2 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Heathen Brewing Feral Public House, 1109 Washington St., Vancouver | $13-$20 | Who’s ready for an ab workout without having to do a single crunch? This nationwide tour features stand-up comedians from New York to Los Angeles.
Saturday, Dec. 3
  • Pittock Mansion Christmas | Friday, Dec. 2-Wednesday, Jan. 4 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Dr., Portland | $0-$15.50 | Ring in the holidays with this year’s “Music Makes the Season” exhibit, complete with festive, music-themed displays created by volunteer decorators.
  • Portland’s Biggest Cat Show | Saturday, Dec. 3-Sunday, Dec. 4 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland, 1000 NE Multnomah St., Portland | $10-$50 | See dozens of breeds compete in shows (including a costume class), find items for the furry friend in your life, and meet adoptable kitties from the Cat Adoption Team.
  • Portland Mercury’s Holiday Drink Week | Saturday, Dec. 3-Sunday, Dec. 4 | Various locations, Portland | $7 | Sip specially crafted, original holiday-themed cocktails mixed by the best bartenders in town for just $7.
Sunday, Dec. 4
  • Book Signing and Aquarium Tour | Sunday, Dec. 4 | 3 p.m. | Moloko, 3967 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland | Free | Meet the author of “The Lost Continent” and learn about coral reef loss and conservation while hanging out in this unique aquarium lounge.
  • Portland Trail Blazers vs. Indiana Pacers | Sunday, Dec. 4 | 6 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $12+ | Dame is expected to return to the court for Rip City’s home game against the No. 4 team in the Eastern Conference.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 45º | Clouds on clouds on clouds | 37% chance of rain
  • A white Christmas may only exist in dreams this year. In true PNW style, our holiday forecast is up in the air — snow, rain, or dry weather are all on the table based on data from the Old Farmer’s Almanac — but hey, dreams can come true. ☃️ (KOIN)
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 7:32 a.m.
  • Set: 4:28 p.m.
Feel Good
  • A Vancouver couple adopted a pair of frozen embryos last year, choosing a set that had waited the longest: 30 years. Last month, the couple welcomed Lydia and Timothy Ridgeway into the world — marking a new record for the longest-frozen embryos to ever result in a successful live birth. 🍼 (KGW)
Seasonal
  • The Benson Hotel on Southwest Broadway has unveiled its 51st annual Gingerbread Masterpiece. The displays traditionally involve 200-300 pounds of gingerbread; this year’s design — created by architect and pastry chef David Diffendorfer — celebrates Multnomah Falls. It will be displayed in the hotel’s lobby through Friday, Dec. 30.
  • Portland has another fun holiday card up its sleeve: Santa Clones. Every year, Chris Willis decks the halls of a vacant local business with 400+ Kris Kringle figurines and releases clues about the location. Look for hints on Chris’ Instagram account later next week. 🎅 (KOIN)
Opening
  • Scottie’s Pizza Parlor is opening a new location at 635 NW 21st Ave. But unlike Scottie’s original Hosford-Abernethy location that only sells whole pies to-go, the new shop will offer dine-in and six daily slices showcasing signature and classic pies. The shop opens Thursday, Dec. 15. 🍕 (Portland Monthly)
Real Estate
  • The Portland metro is expected to see some of the nation’s steepest declines in home sales next year. The area is reportedly on track to hit a 10.7% year-over-year drop in sales, with prices increasing 3.9%. Experts think 2023 will help pave the way for a more sustainable pace. 🏠 (Portland Business Journal)
Shop
  • Your holiday music just got better. 1byoneaudio sells high quality and easy-to-use turntables equipped with incredible sound quality and hi-fi speakers, plus some that connect to Bluetooth headphones. Think: a great gift for the record lover in your life (or even an early present for yourself). 🎶*
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Gooooaaaaaaal ⚽

Places to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup
The Toffee Club sports bar in Portland, Oregon
Nothing like a packed house on a game day at The Toffee Club . | Photo via @toffeeclubpdx
Today marks the final games of the group phase of the FIFA World Cup. In honor of the knockout phase kicking off Saturday, Dec. 3, we’ve added eight more spots to our roundup of local bars where Portlanders can keep track of the action.

🏆 Nico’s Cantina | 4318 Northeast Cully Blvd. | Opens 4 p.m. | Take down some tacos alongside a specialty cocktail while you watch teams compete in Qatar at this spacious interior dining area with additional courtyard seating and lighting.

🏆 GOL Soccer Bar | 1739 SE Hawthorne Blvd. | Times vary | Times zones, what of them? This Timbers-centric bar specifically catering to soccer enthusiasts opens early for a variety of international games, like World Cup matches.

🏆 Lustre Pearl Portland | 3932 N. Mississippi Ave. | Times vary | This Austin-born bar plans to stream as many World Cup games as possible on its 90-inch TV screen, opening early when needed to host watch parties complete with drink specials and wood-fired pizza.
THE REST OF THE ROSTER
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cambrie.

Editor’s pick: Who else spotted a few flakes of snow yesterday and immediately broke out their snowshoes? If you’re looking for a place to wear them (and tromp through more than just soggy grass), check out this list.

The Tom, Dick, and Harry hike is on my list to try this season. But as someone who grew up in La Pine, the Paulina Peak area will always hold a special place in my heart.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Bookmark our guide to late-night bites — you’ll thank yourself later.
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Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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