The joy of the joystick 🕹️

Where to play arcade games in Portland

Who’s got next? | Photo by Dylan Higgins via @groundkontrol

Whether you’re a pinball wizard or a side-scrolling savante, spending the day at the arcade is a handy power up for taking on the ultimate final boss — boredom.

Hope you brought your quarters, Portland.

Level 1 ⭐

These go-to gaming centers are overflowing with precious nostalgia, a diverse set of offerings (think: everything from Ms. Pacman to Skee-Ball), and sustenance to get you to that high score.

Ground Kontrol | With more than 70 titles, competitive pinball tournaments, snacks, and themed cocktails like “Falcon Punch” and “Princess Peach,” it’s easy to spend several hours in 8-bit bliss.

QuarterWorld | This establishment has a warehouse full of games that it rotates often, keeping options fresh. It also has two full bars, plus smash burgers and other “bytes.” Pro tip: All-ages hours are Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m.

Electric Castle’s Wunderland | Pick your path: do you focus on winning tickets to redeem for prizes, strap into the VR world, or leave your friends in the dust on a racing game? No matter which of the four Portland area locations you visit, you’ll have a blast.

Level 2 🍄

Arcade games might not be the main reason you came to these places, but they are sure to maximize the fun multiplier.

Level Beer | Pinball machines and video game-inspired craft beers go together like two Tetris blocks. Check them out at the Multnomah Village or Buckman Kerns taprooms, or the flagship brewery and beer garden in Northeast Portland.

Grand Central Bowl & Arcade | Take a break from knocking down pins and check out the wide variety of games upstairs, all playable with a reloadable card.

Spirit of 77 | What better way to pass halftime of a Blazers game than by shooting a few hoops yourself on the basketball arcade stalls?

CONTINUE YOUR QUEST

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Friday, Jan. 6

All Elite Wrestling | Friday, Jan. 6 | 6 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 Winning Way, Portland | $25-$65 | Still trying to grapple with the new year? Drop into 2023 from the top rope.

Saturday, Jan. 7

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Birthday | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland | Free | Round up the fellowship for the one celebration to rule them all, featuring movies and food and drink specials.
Family Matinee: The Amazing Bubble Man | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 2 p.m. | Sherwood Center for the Arts, 22689 SW Pine St., Sherwood | $5 | Square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes — if your kids love bubbles, they will love this show.

Sunday, Jan. 8

O-Shogatsu Festival, Japanese New Year | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave., Portland | $13.95-$19.95 | Cultivate hopes of happiness and prosperity to come with traditions like shishimai (lion dance) and hatsugama (the first tea ceremony).
Koleda Slavic Winter Festival | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 12:30-6 p.m. | Oregon Latvian Community Center, 5500 SW Dosch Rd., Portland | $25-$100 | Experience a day filled with revelry, feasting, magical dress up, carol singing, dancing, fortune telling, and much more.
Citizenship Classes | Sunday, Jan. 8-Sunday, April 2 | 1-3 p.m. | Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark St. Portland, OR 97233, Portland | Free | Learn about the process of becoming a citizen at this 13-week series where you’ll study US history and government for the examination.

Monday, Jan. 9

OMSI Career Fair | Monday, Jan. 9 | 3-5 p.m. | OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave., Portland | Free | If you have a passion for science and education, chat with hiring managers and learn about open positions at the museum.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Orlando Magic | Tuesday, Jan. 10 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $9.50+ | Do you believe in magic? The Blazers could use some to go on a mid-season run.

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.

THE WORLD IS YOUR CALENDAR

Weather

49º | Showers | 48% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:50 a.m.
Set: 4:42 p.m.

Health

If you used up your at-home COVID-19 tests over the holidays, the federal government has revived its program that provides each household four rapid test kits for free. Looking for a more sensitive PCR test? Try these providers around Portland. 🦠 (Portland Monthly)

Community

A planned year-round shelter in Beaverton received $3 million from the $1.7 trillion federal spending bill passed at the end of December. The future facility will be the first of its kind for homeless people in Washington County, providing beds, meals, showers, and a clinic space for about 60 guests. (Beaverton Valley Times)

Closed

NOLA Dougnuts, the New Orleans-themed shop known for beignets and la’ssants, a square-shaped croissant-donut hybrid, has closed all of its Portland area locations. In an Instagram post, owners attributed their difficult decision to the lasting economic effects of the pandemic. ⚜️ (Eater Portland)

Biz

When Bob’s Red Mill polled employees for ideas to help the whole grain food company cut its waste in half by 2030, there was a lot of wheat and not much chaff. One suggestion involved tightening certain bolts on its product line to prevent overfilling, resulting in a 70% reduction of spillage. 🌾 (Portland Business Journal)

Eat

Voodoo Doughnut’s latest limited edition creation is nuts. Introducing, the Fluffernutter, a peanut-shaped donut filled with marshmallow fluff, dipped in peanut butter and chopped roasted peanuts. It’s available until Monday, March 27, and portions of the proceeds will benefit the Organization for Autism Research. (KOIN)

Arts

For its 10th year, the Portland Fine Print Fair is coming to Portland Art Museum, Saturday, Jan. 28-Sunday, Jan. 29. Free to attend, this show features original prints from 16 top dealers across North America and Europe, at all price ranges. A ticketed benefit preview will be held Friday, Jan. 27, 6-9 p.m. 🖼️

Sports

The Thorns are trading midfielder Yazmeen Ryan to Gotham FC in a three-team deal. Portland will receive the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NWSL draft, a 2024 second-round pick, and $200,000 in allocation money from Angel City. In two seasons, she recorded three goals and five assists across 38 appearances. ⚽ (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Travel

Been thinking about a weekend getaway on the waterfront? Astoria’s iconic Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa has just completed the last of its multimillion-dollar renovations, including a remodel of all 46 guest rooms, the addition of a museum, and the debut of Bar 600.

Seasonal

Don’t let chilly temperatures keep you from going to outdoor sporting events or enjoying local hiking trails. Stock up on HotHands Hand Warmers and keep the feeling in your fingers all season long. Or try this rechargeable electric hand warmer with three different heat levels.*

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A green goodbye 🎄

How to care for a fresh Christmas tree

Two people wearing waders walk through a river, pulling dead christmas trees behind them

The Christmas for Coho team puts trees in the Clackamas River at McIver Park. | Photo by Michael Ellis, Tualatin Valley Chapter, Trout Unlimited

Just because the holidays are over, doesn’t mean that tree has to stop spreading cheer. You could turn it into a natural bird feeder by hanging edible ornaments on it, or rent a chipper and make some mulch for the garden. Portland also has a trunk-load of recycling options.

🎄Leave it on the curb with your yard debris.

🎄Donate it to the Christmas for Coho nonprofit, which uses old trees to improve habitats for young salmon in Oregon wetlands.

🎄Take your tree to a local Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts troop.

🎄Drop it off (Saturday, Jan. 7) or schedule a pickup with Portland Legacy Lions. Donation fees support hearing aids, eyeglasses, food assistance, and exams for people in need.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: Yesterday was my cockapoo Liv’s “Gotcha Day” — she got lots of treats and a new toy.

If you’re able to rescue a pet, right now is the time to do it. Multnomah County Animal Services will not be accepting anymore animals due to low staffing and an influx of pets who ran away during New Year’s Eve fireworks. The unprecedented pause is set to end Wednesday, Jan. 11 with the resumption of in-person adoptions.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? No one is mocking these marvelous mocktails.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Rachel Sklenar | Advertise with us.

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