Evergreen offers Saturday morning curling practice for grades 1-12. | Photo by Geoff Crim/Evergreen Curling Club

If you think curling is just something you watch once every four years, think again. Evergreen Curling Club (ECC) has carried the brush for the sport in the Portland area since 2002 and moved into its current facility in 2012.

🥌 How do I play?

If you haven’t watched the “Roarin’ Game” at the Winter Olympics, curling can look a bit peculiar. “Most people will liken it to shuffleboard or chess on ice,” explained ECC’s curling instructor/events manager Barbara Feist. “But it’s more a combination of team dynamics and strategic thinking played out in a very physical sport that takes both strength and finesse.”

Read up on Curling 101 — sportsmanship and camaraderie are its heart and soul — then book a Learn to Curl lesson ($38 for adults and $19 for youth). Lessons are also provided during group events and private parties. As the only club with dedicated ice in Oregon, ECC’s leagues regularly fill up but are another option to continue developing skills. So are Friday drop-in games.

A curler concentrates as they release the stone on the ice — ECC hosts bonspiels (curling tournaments) for all ages/experience levels.

🧤 What do I need?

Dress in layers and wear rubber-soled shoes. Loaner equipment (brooms, knee pads, etc.) is available for newbies, as are accommodations for people in wheelchairs or those who are visually or hearing impaired — advanced notice for instructors is appreciated.

Don’t forget a warm and friendly attitude, and the willingness to learn. “Curling definitely is a community, and a great resource for connecting with people in all manner of occupations,” said Feist.

🧹 When can I try it?

Curling is a seasonal sport. ECC starts making ice in August, while lessons and leagues begin in late September. The summer closure starts in early to mid-May, depending on weather. Follow the club on Facebook for updates, and reach out with any further questions.

EVENTS

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Wednesday, Feb. 1

Art Exhibit: Dream Girl Power by Sa’rah Melinda Sabino | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 12-6 p.m. | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave., Portland | Free | Catch the last day of this creative crossover between Moroccan and Muslim identities and the artist’s passion for basketball.
Miriam Toews in Conversation With Chelsea Bieker | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Hear the author discuss “Fight Night,” a novel dedicated to the resilience of women and told through the perspective of a three-generation family living in Toronto.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Night Florist | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 4-7 p.m. | Gifford’s Flowers, 704 SW Jefferson St., Portland | Price of purchase | Take advantage of extended hours every first Thursday to shop for gorgeous bouquets, delicious chocolates, and decorations.
Rat King Bingo | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs Café, 8811 N. Lombard St., Portland | Free | We hope you brought trash to appease the reigning rodent.

Friday, Feb. 3

Bunny Meet and Greet | Friday, Feb. 3 | 12-3 p.m. | Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett St., Portland | $11-$14 | Hop on over to this Year of the Rabbit celebration with Rabbit Advocates, a nonprofit that helps rehome the bouncy pets.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Kelley Point Park Tree Planting | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Kelley Point Park main entrance, North Marine Drive and Lombard Street, Portland | Free | Share the love with your city by giving it some new, hug-worthy trees.

Saturday, Feb. 11

A Night of Love | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 7-10 p.m. | Briq Studio, 209 NW Fourth Ave., Portland | $80-$150 | Make your Valentine feel special at this cooking event featuring food, music, and everything you need for a memorable evening. *

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.

SHORT MONTH, LOTS OF EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

49º | Partly cloudy | 5% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:31 a.m.
Set: 5:17 p.m.

Community

Affordable housing units constructed with mass timber are drawing the eyes of Oregon state officials. Gov. Tina Kotek recently paid a visit to the Port of Portland, where she toured a prototype structure that’s being touted as a possible solution to the housing crisis, while also creating jobs. 🪵 (OPB)

Plan Ahead

For the second year, Secret Roller Disco will partner with Portland Winter Light Festival for two wheely fun nights of skating (Thursday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 4) in the former Marshall’s at the Lloyd Center Mall. Rentals will be available for $10 and “under the sea” costumes are encouraged. 🛼

Pets

Hear that? It’s the sound of hundreds of purring felines on their way to the Portland Cat Extravaganza. On Saturday, Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 5 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), Loving Cats Worldwide will bring its cat show and adoption event to the Portland Expo Center for the first time. 🐈 (KOIN)

Sports

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will participate in a panel discussion Monday, Feb. 6 at The Sports Bra about the league’s expansion plans and the growth of women’s sports nationwide. In a press release, she said, “I’m excited to visit Portland, a city with a great sports history and an incredible fanbase.” 🏀 (Portland Business Journal)
In a beautiful twist, Lake Oswego’s At The Garages Eatery & Taphouse — known for its live music — plans to install pickleball courts after the city removed its only facilities for the game due to noise complaints. They are set to open in February on the venue’s back patio. 🏓 (Willamette Week)

Eat

Just go with the flow and check out James Beard-nominated chef Jeremy Hansen’s new brunch pop-up, Drift Boat. The project will feature eye-catching open-faced omelets, berry parfaits, breakfast cocktails, and more. Find first come, first served seats 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the next two weekends at Bantam Tavern. (Eater Portland)

Outdoors

When it comes to trimming a rose, do you say, “who knows?” Well, you can up your pruning game by attending a demonstration at Cornell Farm, Saturdays at 12 p.m., starting Feb. 18. 🌹

Civic

Jury duty comes for everyone, even if you’re Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. The city leader, who will join the juror’s box on a two-day trial, was called up for the second time since becoming mayor in 2017. His scheduled meeting with Gov. Tina Kotek and other local officials will be rescheduled. 🏛️ (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Closing

Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center will shutter its birthing center in Gresham on Friday, March 17. Last year, 700 babies were born there; now, patients will have to visit Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in North Portland, which is 17 miles away from the soon-to-be-closed location. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Seasonal

Instead of roses or chocolate, opt for an experiential Valentine’s Day gift this year, like an intimacy card deck or chocolate truffle making kit from Uncommon Goods. Wanna plan the ultimate date night? Order this fondue set for two or enjoy this virtual romantic painting class. 💝 *

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FILM

Second-run cinema, centralized 🎞️

Portland's Hollywood Theater rises above the street in shadow

Who’s buying the popcorn? | Photo by PDXtoday

Tim Halbur moved to Portland from Los Angeles about six months ago. As a film buff, he was excited to explore all of the cool independent theaters in the City of Roses; however, he found it was not only difficult to locate them, but even tougher to know what they were playing.

When he lived in California, Halbur regularly used Revival Hub LA, an online calendar that aggregates and tracks “classic, cult, weird and wonderful second-run films.” He reached out to the resource’s creators, and together, they are launching Revival Hub PDX.

Because many theaters don’t show their listings until the week before, it can make it hard to plan. He added, “I’m working with them to get the listings earlier so I can get them in the calendar sometimes before they are even on the theater’s website.”

Halbur also asks that film festival organizers reach out to him to get listed.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: Earlier this week, I spent some time out and about exploring the city on a very random itinerary.

First, I visited the grave of Portland’s co-founder, warmed up my hands with a latte at Puff Coffee, took a peak at Mount Hood from atop Rocky Butte, again warmed up with chicken strips and jo-jos at Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, and figure skated at Tanner Springs. I’m only kind of kidding about that last one.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Bluebird days are best spent hiking in the snow around Trillium Lake.

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: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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