Honor MLK’s legacy by volunteering

Local ways to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day

A bronze statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with three other allegorical figures of a man, a woman, and a young girl in front of an American flag and the state of Oregon flag on a pavilion.

“The Dream” sculpture outside the Oregon Convention Center depicts Martin Luther King Jr. and three people who represent the working American, immigration, and “intergenerational respect.” | Photo by Another Believer

Each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January — Jan. 16 this year. The theme for 2023 is “Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems,” according to The King Center — a nonprofit founded by MLK’s wife, Coretta Scott King, to continue Dr. King’s legacy.

If you have time to dedicate to our community, here are three local volunteer opportunities:

KairosPDX | Program ambassadors work to break down structural racism through policy advocacy, professional development services, and hands-on learning at the flagship community school and through family engagement programs.
Coalition of Communities of Color | Drive social change by helping conduct research to better understand socioeconomic gaps, institutional racism, and inequity of services.
Urban League of Portland | Make a positive impact in the Black community by pledging your time to one of Oregon’s oldest civil rights and social service organizations focused on housing, health, education, and jobs.

Or participate in Don’t Shoot PDX’s “Reclaim Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day” march, taking place Monday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join; the meet-up location is 700 N. Rosa Parks Way — near Peninsula Park.

Looking for other ways to get involved? Check out more local volunteer opportunities at the link below.

38 MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Jan. 13

“The Ghost of David Belasco” | Friday, Jan. 13-Sunday, Feb. 12 | Times vary | Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State St., Lake Oswego | $25-$39 | Long-dead theater impresario David Belasco is posthumously hired to exorcise a haunted theater in 1927 — but will it work? And will the audience escape alive?

Saturday, Jan. 14

Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” with the Oregon Symphony | Saturday, Jan. 14-Monday, Jan. 16 | Times vary | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | $25-$129 | Nearly 113 years ago, Igor Stravinksy entered a Paris theater as an unknown composer and left as a celebrity after performing this sumptuous score; now, his music will rise again.
Portland Trail Blazers v Dallas Mavericks - AAPI Night | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $45+ | Rip City may be the underdog sitting at No. 11 in the Western Conference, but that’s all the more reason to root for their victory against the 5th-ranked visiting team.
“My Words Are My Sword” | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 SW Crescent St., Beaverton | $19-$44 | The Portland Chamber Orchestra celebrates Black culture and music with a concert showcasing hip-hop, jazz, and classical styles, along with a performance by poet and actor Darius Wallace.
Grand Royale [Beastie Boys] | Red Not Chili Peppers | Nookie [Limp Bizkit] | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 8 p.m. | Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St. #110, Portland | $25 | Three tribute bands have put together a show that will make a brass monkey want to take a look around at all the Californication.

Sunday, Jan. 15

Masterworks | Portland: Botticelli | Sunday, Jan. 15-Sunday, May 7 | Times vary | Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave., Portland | $22-$25 | Feast your eyes on the rarely seen “Madonna of the Magnificat” round painting, considered one of the finest Madonna and Child paintings of the Renaissance.

Monday, Jan. 16

Keep Alive the Dream | Monday, Jan. 16 | 1-4 p.m. | Highland Christian Center, 7600 NE Glisan St., Portland | Free, $5 or canned food donation encouraged | The World’s Arts Foundation’s annual tribute started in 1976 and will feature a stage performance and talks by DaNell Daymon, Alonzo Chadwick, Arietta Ward, and local politicians.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Science Pub Portland: The Science of Comics, The Comics of Science | Tuesday, Jan. 17 | 7-9 p.m. | McMenamins Kennedy School Theater, 5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland | $5 | University of Oregon and Portland Community College educators will break down the peculiar formal grammar of comics and make you rethink what you know about “the funny pages.”

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.

MORE HOLIDAY WEEKEND PLANS

Weather

53º | Morning showers evolve into steady rain | 77% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:48 a.m.
Set: 4:50 p.m.

State

Oregon has the most Vietnamese American representation of any state legislature in the US after five Portland-area representatives — all of whom are children of Vietnam War refugees — were sworn in this week. Nineteen legislators of color now round out the most diverse legislative session in Oregon history. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live + KGW)

Opening

Besaw’s, a Northwest Portland restaurant first established in 1903 with the help of Henry Weinhard, will end its pandemic-related closure before the month is out. Its neighboring cocktail bar, The Solo Club, will also reopen. Chef Romeo Lopez will run both kitchens and revive Besaw’s robust brunch program. 🥞 (Eater Portland)

Community

The Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade will take place a month later than usual this year. The annual festivities celebrating local LBGTQ+ communities are now set for mid-July to avoid overlap with other events, like Juneteenth, the Delta Park Pow Wow, and Father’s Day activities. 🏳️‍🌈 (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Health

Researchers at OHSU and Oregon State University are developing new ways to treat blindness. In a study published this week, they explain how lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA — the same technology used in COVID-19 vaccines — can be used to edit mutated genes in patients with inherited retinal diseases. 👁️ (Portland Business Journal)

Coming Soon

A Sky Zone trampoline park — Oregon’s first — is coming to Gresham. The Utah-based chain will open a location in the former Salvation Army Family Store at the College Square shopping center by the end of June. If you just can’t wait to get bouncing, check out the Sky Zone in Vancouver. (KOIN)

Environment

In 1937, a native Oregon butterfly known as the Fender’s blue was considered extinct thanks to human development in the Willamette Valley. Next month, the insect’s status will be changed from “endangered” to “threatened” — marking what officials are calling a “tremendous success story.” Look for the butterfly April-June in Washington County. 🦋 (KOIN)
Did you know that one in 10 trees planted along Portland streets is a maple? Brittany Oxford with the Oregon Department of Forestry is helping cities across the state grow and maintain their urban forests by advising on topics like species diversity so trees can help balance social equity and climate disparities. (KGW)

Award

If you’re looking for the “best barbecue” in Oregon, Food Network has a recommendation: Podnah’s Pit. The Northeast Portland restaurant is known for smoked Texas-style meats, like beef brisket and pulled pork. Food Network star Guy Fieri is a fan of the lamb ribs. 🍖 (Food Network/The Oregonian)

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Net some passive income 💸

Renters at these Portland apartments can be part-time Airbnb hosts

An open-air rooftop patio with chairs, a fire pit, and plants overlooks the city of Portland.

Indigo has rooms with drool-worthy views. | Photo via Airbnb

Numbers don’t lie — Portland simply isn’t among the most affordable places to live in the US. But for some apartment dwellers, there’s a new way to offset the high cost of living.

Airbnb recently launched a new program called Airbnb-friendly apartments, allowing certain renters in Portland (and ~30 other cities) the ability to become part-time hosts. Those living in participating apartment buildings can host a spare room or their entire apartment.

So far, Airbnb has partnered with more than 175 apartment buildings across the country, including three in Portland: Indigo in downtown, Sawbuck in Goose Hollow, and Enso in the Pearl District. Residents at those locations are allowed to rent out their units on Airbnb for up to 90 nights per year.

Here’s a breakdown of the numbers, according to Airbnb:

Indigo: Starting monthly rent = $2,328 | Average earnings for a week = $853
Sawbuck: Starting monthly rent = $1,525 | Average earnings for a week = $603
Enso: Starting monthly rent = $1,824 | Average earnings for a week = $640

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cambrie.

Editor’s pick: There’s no better time to adopt a black cat than Friday the 13th. Decrees spread among various societies hundreds of years ago damned these felines as having ties to the occult and continue to do damage today — but if anyone has suffered under the weight of bad luck, it’s the unwanted black cats who languish in animal shelters.

My black fluff ball has made some appearances here before, so it’s no surprise I’m a champion for voids. If you’re ready to give a cat a home, consider Hector, Shade, or Beamer.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Toss some salt over your shoulder, then head to these shops offering flash tattoos for Friday the 13th.

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.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?