6AM City In-house

Let’s get civic-al, civic-al 💡

A guide to city departments in Portland, OR
A view of the front of Portland City Hall shows a tan building with a rotunda and columns
To go straight to the source, visit Portland City Hall. | Photo by M.O. Stevens
Whether you need to register to vote, inquire about residential services, or just stay in the know about civic happenings, we’re here to connect you with the right department in the city of Portland.

“I want to adopt an animal.”
  • Animal Care and Services | Multnomah County Animal Services fosters dogs, cats, and other animals that are looking for a fur-ever home.
“I want to explore Portland’s art scene.”
“How do I best prepare for a fire?”
“My garbage hasn’t been picked up.”
“I’d like to start a business.”
“I need help finding a place to live.”
  • Housing Bureau | View affordable homes, rent assistance programs, and housing policies.
A sign reads Portsmouth Park and there are kids swinging and playing on a seesaw in the background.

Portsmouth Park has a playground and multiple sports fields.

Photo by Visitor7


“Which parks are the best for ages 6-12?”
  • Parks and Recreation | Discover local community events, volunteer opportunities, or nearby recreation centers.
“I’d like to work for the city.”
  • Human Resources | View the city’s employment opportunities and applicant resources.
“What is going on with all this street construction?”
  • Transportation | Learn about upcoming road work, reserve on-street parking, or report an abandoned vehicle.
“Where can I research historical records?”
And that’s not all. There are even more city departments to address your concerns — so let us know which ones you’re curious about and we’ll continue this series. Need urgent city services? Call 311.
6AM City In-house

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Dec. 19
  • Machado Mijiga | Monday, Dec. 19 | 12-1 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave., Portland | Free | Get groovy during your lunch hour with this funk and soul instrumentalist.
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Wednesday, Dec. 21
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.
HOLIDAYS HERE WE COME
Meals on Wheels People

7 common mistakes when hiring a financial advisor 👀
SmartAsset matches you with vetted financial advisors in your area.
SmartAsset matches you with vetted financial advisors in your area. | Photo by SmartAsset
Life should be a balance of adventure and relaxation — not balancing finances. Enter: working with a financial advisor. But choosing the wrong one could potentially wreak havoc on your retirement and investments.

Avoid these seven common mistakes when hiring a financial advisor so you can get back to the balance that matters most.

Pro tip: For simplicity, try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*
GET STARTED, SMARTIE

Weather
  • 40º | Cloudy | 24% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 7:47 a.m.
  • Set: 4:28 p.m.
Cause
  • Children’s Center, a Vancouver nonprofit that provides mental health resources to clients ages 2-18, is hosting a toy drive through Friday, Dec. 23, with an emphasis on gifts suitable for teenagers. The organization is also known for giving out “Heavy Helpers,” or large, weighted teddy bears, to help patients with anxiety. 🧸 (The Columbian)
Number
  • 3,400. That’s how many people will reportedly be able to stay housed through June thanks to an additional $28.6 million in rent assistance unanimously approved by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners last week. Since 2019, average evictions per month have jumped from 500 to about 820. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
  • 5,000 pounds of food. Every week, Portland State University’s pantry distributes that much to students, but in its current form, it still doesn’t have the capacity to serve everyone in need. The school confirmed that finding a new space for the food bank will be formally discussed next month. 🍎 (OPB)
Arts
  • On Friday, art gallery Chefas Projects debuted a much bigger space in the Central Eastside Industrial District, just a stone’s throw from its previous location. Hear owner Stephanie Chefas’ plans for the inaugural show “Family Affair” and beyond, plus what inspires her to venture outside the traditional fine art system. 🎨 (Portland Monthly)
Portlander
  • After winning the Miss Oregon crown, Sophia Takla made an impressive top-10 showing at the Miss America competition. With only a sprinkle of irony, the native Portlander sang “Don’t Rain On My Parade” in the talent segment and later presented her nonprofit Operation Joy. She’ll always be No. 1 in our hearts. (Portland Tribune)
Job
  • We’re hiring a sales executive to lead our advertising relationships across all 25 of our cities. This exec would lead prospecting initiatives, maintain a full and active client pipeline, and prepare and deliver sales presentations — all while earning a competitive salary with unlimited PTO. Learn more + apply.
Shop
  • Give the gift of a quality shave month after month with a Harry’s trial set and blade subscription. Choose your handle color, refill frequency, and let the good shave days roll in for as little as $5 on sign-up (yes, you heard that right). 🪒 *
  • If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for someone on your list, look no further. Let us introduce you to gift cards from our PDXtoday shop, Six & Main. Purchase a gift card today. 🎁
Real Estate
  • When the dream job came knocking, the Abernethys needed to sell their house and move — quickly. See how they were able to sell in record time.*

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Columbia Pool is sunk 💦

Columbia Pool to remain closed permanently
Two people inspect a domed roof above drained pools
Inspections of Columbia Pool have been ongoing since 2008. | Photo via Portland Parks & Recreation
Countless cannonballs, vital swimming lessons, and 93 years of recreation have dried up at Columbia Indoor Pool. The distinctive dome-shaped facility initially closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but after years of deliberations and inspections, the structure’s diminishing integrity was deemed to pose life-safety hazards and its doors will stay shut.

But that doesn’t mean North Portland will be left in the deep end forever. Portland Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio said, “I’ve directed Portland Parks & Recreation to plan a new, full-service aquatics center for North Portland, and I will continue to explore funding options for it in addition to the more than $31 million in city and state funds already secured.”

In the meantime, City Council approved $1.5 million to ensure those impacted by this closure can access other pools.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: From books to film, theater and art, it’s been a great year for Portland and Oregon-made creative work. To say I’ve gotten around to it all would make me Pinocchio — which I still haven’t seen — but I truly enjoyed watching “Wendell & Wild.” It’s going to be a mainstay in the Halloween season rotation.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? There are plenty of free resources for you to check out at the Central Library.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Terri Kiesenhofer | Advertise with us.

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