The froze and cons ❄️

Traffic woes, impromptu ski races on Portland’s snowiest day since 1943

A ruler sticks out of the snow, showing more than six inches of accumulated snowfall, with scrabble letters spelling out "CLOSED SNOW DAY"

Bored? Take a walk to one of the best winter photography locations in Portland. | Photo by @mudpuddlestoys

Weren’t we dreaming about an early spring just days ago? Full disclosure that we may have jinxed the weather by flouting the groundhog’s prediction earlier this month. Please forgive us.

Wednesday, Feb. 22 marked Portland’s snowiest day in 80 years. A whopping 10.8 inches of the white fluff fell in the city — the second highest total since record keeping began at Portland International Airport in 1939.

The snowiest day on record occurred in 1943 when 15.5 inches fell on the City of Roses within 24 hours. At least motorized snowplows had been invented by then.

A black and white photo of men removing snow on a city street using a tractor with a trolley and cars parked in the background. — Men work to clear snow at Southwest Broadway and Yamhill on Jan. 25, 1943. | Photo via City of Portland Archives

This week’s snowfall triggered power outages, flight delays/cancellations, and headaches for drivers across the metro area. One man told KOIN 6 News he had to pull over on Highway 26 and wait out the night, calling the experience a “nightmare.” As with past snow storms, abandoned and crashed vehicles clogged freeways, snarling PBOT’s efforts to plow.

While vehicles shouldn’t be left unattended on freeways, drivers who found themselves stuck in metered parking spots were off the hook. PBOT said it wouldn’t issue parking tickets for vehicles that overstayed their time limits through 12 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 in an effort to keep people off the roads.

portland snow day pdx — Midwestern transplants often have a hard time driving on winter roads here too (psst, it’s the ice). |
Photo by @ava.flave

Anyone who needs to travel is encouraged to take TriMet. If you absolutely must get behind the wheel, be sure to keep an eye on road closures — and it never hurts to brush up on these tips for winter driving.

Many Portlanders took advantage of the snow day by heading to Northwest Couch Street and 11th Avenue for the fifth-ever Stumpton Birkebeiner, a pop-up cross-country ski race that happens whenever enough snow falls in the city (read: rarely).

We just have one question: was it also the perfect texture for running? IYKYK

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Feb. 24

“Chrysalis (Generativity)” | Friday, Feb. 24-Sunday, March 12 | Times vary | Oregon Contemporary, 8371 N. Interstate Ave., Portland | Free | The exhibit by PNW artist Fernanda D’Agostino features fascinating projection sculptures inspired by the intricate nests of tent caterpillars.
Sen Morimoto | Friday, Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. | Jack London Revue, 529 SW Fourth Ave., Portland | $30-$240 | The Japanese American musician and singer from Chicago mixes jazz, hip-hop, spoken-word rap, and pop into fresh, experimental jams.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Intro to Mason Bees Class | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Portland Community College Rock Creek, Bldg. 4, 17705 NW Springville Rd., Portland | Free | This class (the first of a three-part series) will address the biology, behavior, and natural history of the mason bee — a native, solitary pollinator that doesn’t sting.
The Seasons of a Pine with Tom Dufala of Bentwood Tree Farm | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-11 p.m. | Portland Nursery, 9000 SE Division St., Portland | Free | Learn about Japanese garden-styled pine trees, including their cultural significance, varieties, and how to plant and care for your own.

Sunday, Feb. 26

Imagine-Nation: A Youth Focused Comedy Adventure Show! | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Kickstand Comedy Space, 1969 NE 42nd Ave., Portland | Free | Local improv comedians will spin a mighty, magical tale using costumes, props, and audience feedback that’s guaranteed to spark many laughs. Be sure to register in advance.
Oregon Short Film Festival (Winter 2023) | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 11:45 a.m.-9 p.m. | Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton St., Portland | $38 | Watch more than three dozen international, independent short films, series episodes, and music videos spanning all genres.

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.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

39º | Sunny | 2% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:57 a.m.
Set: 5:50 p.m.

Civic

Portland sidewalks are open to the public, but homeowners must repair them. One woman learned that the hard way when PBOT sent her a letter, saying she needed to repair the sidewalk outside her Southeast Portland home (or pay the bureau $20,000 to handle it). Homeowners typically have 60 days to comply. (KOIN)

Today Is

The first day of Black Restaurant Week, which runs through Sunday, March 5. The national event started in Houston in 2016, and although early celebrations in Portland drew only a few participating businesses, 15 have joined this year’s lineup, including The Drip’N Crab, Assembly Brewing, and Viking Soul Food. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Portlander

“What is the Philippines?” That was Avi Gupta’s correct answer in the final round of “Jeopardy!” this week. The Catlin Gabel alum eked out an impressive comeback victory during the High School Reunion Tournament and will compete in the semifinals. We’ll take Portland pride for $200. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Sports

Brumm brumm brrrrrruuummm — that’s the sound of Timber Joey not-so-patiently waiting for the season opener against Kansas City, which has been postponed to Monday, Feb. 27 at Providence Park. Show your support for the home team this year (and your love for Portland’s favorite pattern) with this authentic 2023 plaid jersey. ⚽

Real Estate

The Heathman Hotel is changing hands. East Coast-based Pebblebrook Hotel Trust is selling the downtown property for $45 million to an undisclosed buyer. This follows the investment trust’s 2022 sale of the Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland and leaves it with two remaining Portland hotels: the Nines and Hotel Zags. 🏨 (KGW)

Read

A novel by Katherine Dunn, posthumously published in November, set the ball rolling for more of the late Portland author’s archived works of fiction. Dunn gave 47 boxes of unpublished papers to Lewis & Clark College before she died; most of the material is publicly accessible, but some awaits possible publication. 📖 (Portland Monthly)

Film

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of “Free Willy.” The iconic coming-of-age film (filmed partly in Portland) starred Keiko, a wild-born orca who spent years in captivity before a controversial release back to the wild. The celebrity cetacean’s life ultimately influenced the progression of marine wildlife conservation. 🌊 (Portland Monthly)

Finance

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement — and its free tool can match you with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help you work towards financial freedom. Try it out for yourself. *

Number

55°. That’s the optimal temperature for storing wine. So unless you enjoy keeping your humble abode chilled year round, we recommend buying a wine fridge to foster favorable conditions for long-term aging. Our pick: this sleek wine fridge with touch-panel control and capacity for 24 bottles. Cheers. 🍷 *

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Clearing a path forward 🏗️

Grand Ronde tribe starts 3rd round of paper mill demolition

An excavator reaches high to grab and crush metal siding from a building.

Demolition work at Tumwata Village began in 2021. | Photo by Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

Work on the third and biggest round of demolitions near Willamette Falls is underway. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is removing multiple buildings at Tumwata Village where the now-shuttered Blue Heron Paper Company once operated.

The tribe acquired the 23-acre property in 2019 and resumed their role as caretakers of the land and falls, which are part of their ancestral homelands. The site was renamed “Tumwata Village” last year.

This latest round of demolition work will focus on structures located on the northwestern part of the property near downtown Oregon City. Two buildings that housed paper machines — Mill D and the so-called “Butler Building” — are among those scheduled to be razed.

This demolition phase is expected to take four-to-five months to complete, but it likely won’t be the last as the tribe moves toward its vision for Tumwata Village. Public access to Willamette Falls, carefully planned mixed-use development, and environmental restoration are among their end goals.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cambrie.

Editor’s pick: As a kid growing up in Florence, I got to visit Keiko multiple times during his two-year residency at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. I’ll never forget how awed I was by his presence — he struck me as an intelligent, highly aware creature.

During one visit, a person standing near the tank viewing window started playing the harmonica to the “Free Willy” tune and Keiko swam over and watched very intently.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Speaking of heartfelt animal content, Golden Bond Rescue is helping canine companions find homes.

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.

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