Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo 🏗️

Which major local project would you want finished immediately?

The sun rises over the Portland skyline with Mount Hood silhouetted to the left and a bank of clouds over the Willamette River

Who knows how the skyline will look in the future? | Photo by @shutterbug_shah

For Portland and any city, development is vital to stay apace with progress and the needs of its citizens. More often than not, those demands are pressing, and civic leaders must juggle time, resources, and money.

But if you could wave a magic wand to instantly finish a major local infrastructure or development project in Portland, which project would you choose and why?

Note: In this scenario, we have an arcane tool with unlimited power, so of course we would make sure everyone was housed first.

We’ve got a few suggestions to help break ground.

Replace the Interstate Bridge
Complete the OMSI District
Finish the Pearl District USPS site
Open UO’s Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health
Make a splash with the North Portland Aquatic Center

When you have your answer, let us know and we may share it in an upcoming newsletter.

As for the two of us? City Editor Ben wants to see the Albina Vision Trust’s ideas come to life — and give the Moda Center a major face-lift while we’re at it. City Editor Cambrie would love to see the Paris Theatre in Old Town restored to its original 1890s glory and reopened as a dinner theater, à la the Moulin Rouge in actual Paris.

YOU ARE THE CIVIL ENGINEER

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Friday, March 3

17th Annual Portland Seafood & Wine Festival | Friday, Mar. 3-Saturday, Mar. 4 | Times vary | Portland Expo Center, 2060 Marine Dr. W., Portland | $13-$125 | Enjoy fresh, locally caught seafood during peak Dungeness crab season, along with wine, craft beer, cider, and distilled spirits with live entertainment and family-friendly activities.
First Friday Art Walk: Frolic in the Forest | Friday, Mar. 3 | 5-7 p.m. | Sidestreet Arts, 140 SE 28th Ave., Portland | Free | Explore the nature-inspired exhibit and chat with the artists as they talk about their inspiration and ideas. Drinks and treats will also be provided.
Studio Ghibli Film Festival | Friday, March 3-Sunday, April 2 | Times vary | OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave., Portland | $6-$20 | Experience 18 movies from the mind of iconic Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, listen to guest speakers, and kick the event off with an opening night screening of “The Wind Rises.”

Saturday, March 4

Maizee Mae’s Vintage Market | Saturday, Mar. 4-Sunday, Mar. 5 | Times vary | DoubleTree by Hilton, 1000 NE Multnomah St., Portland | $5 | Go treasure hunting for antique, vintage, and upcycled items — who knows what you will find?
Fix-It Fair | Saturday, Mar. 4 | 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Parkrose High School, 12003 NE Shaver St., Portland | Free | This one-stop event has hands-on resources for you to stay healthy and safe and save money; bring your small appliances, bicycles, and cloth items to be repaired by volunteers.
Kids’ Storytime with Fiona Cohen | Saturday, Mar. 4 | 10:30 a.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Bring your little nature lover to read through a journal and activity book filled with 100 colorful and scientifically accurate illustrations.

Sunday, March 5

Working With Mason Bees | Sunday, Mar. 5 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd., Portland | Free | Learn how to make a habitat and avoid misinformation so you can welcome these gentle, solitary pollinators to your garden.
Portland Winterhawks vs. Everett Silvertips | Sunday, Mar. 5 | 5 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 Winning Way, Portland | $30-$45 | If you didn’t get enough ice during the last winter storm, get your fix at this hard-hitting hockey showdown.

Monday, March 6

Vance Joy | Monday, Mar. 6 | 8 p.m. | Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., Portland | $45.95+ | You’ll get caught in the “Riptide” of this Australian singer’s smooth hits.

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.

GET YOUR EVENTS HERE

Weather

43º | Light rain | 68% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:45 a.m.
Set: 6:00 p.m.

Community

Portlanders who drive electric vehicles (or want to) but can’t charge them at home will be energized by the city’s new program. With its recent approval, right-of-way stations can now be installed in neighborhoods like Hollywood, Lents, Woodstock, Montavilla, and others, improving equitable access across a larger geographic footprint. ⚡ (OPB)

Transportation

Proponents of Alameda Elementary School’s bike bus are lending their voices to House Bill 3014, which would enable school districts in Oregon to tap existing funding for alternative methods of getting kids to school. Such convoys, comprised of educators, parents, and students, are seen as a way to combat bus driver shortages. 🚲 (KOIN)

Open

Chef Aaron Adams whips up Cuban dishes with personal pizzazz at Workshop Food and Drink, a new vegan eatery/cocktail lounge in the Buckman neighborhood. Though he says the dishes like espaguetis picadillo would break his abuela’s heart, they are a fine accompaniment to the fermentation-forward drinks. (KOIN)

Biz

Freeland Spirits is flying into Women’s History Month by offering a $10,000 grant to one female-identifying or nonbinary entrepreneur on the West Coast. The distillery will partner with nonprofit Regarding Her to support an early-stage alcohol-related business. Applications are due Friday, March 10. (KOIN)
Ardent Coffee, a volunteer-run nonprofit cafe that supports International Justice Mission, will soon merge with and take the name of Heretic Coffee Co. More details are brewing, but customers can expect the Southeast Portland space to reopen on Saturday, April 15. ☕

Environment

Ribbit — that’s northern red-legged frog for “thank you.” When Portland’s winter nights turn particularly rainy, the protected species hops from Forest Park, crossing multiple roads and railroad tracks, to reach breeding grounds in the Harborton wetlands. Volunteer to help them as a “frog taxi” and soak up that amphibian gratitude. 🐸

Announced

Far-flung Trail Blazers fans will soon have extra incentives to travel to Portland and see their team play in person. The NBA franchise is partnering with Hyatt Regency at the Oregon Convention Center to offer discounted hotel stays and game tickets, plus more perks. (Portland Business Journal)

Job

Do you eat, breathe, and dream about editorial content? We’re hiring a Managing Editor to support the strategic growth and development of 6AM City’s editorial team, specifically as it relates to content management, creation, and strategy. See details + apply.

Cause

We love a snack that also gives back — like PDXPOP!, a gourmet popcorn company that prepares bags daily in Meals on Wheels People’s Central Kitchen. All proceeds go straight back to Meals on Wheels People to help feed our community’s homebound older adults. Get snacking, Portland. 🍿 *

Travel

Did you know? Going, the travel membership that saves you money on flights, offers veterans, teachers, and healthcare professionals special discounts. Get 25% off a premium membership and take that well-earned vacation with discounted flights to Spain, Mexico, Ireland, and more. *

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment. *

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

Spontaneity onstage 💃

‘The Spin’ brings spontaneity to the stage

A dancer leaps in the air with various garments flying off of them with a game show wheel in the background

Round and round it goes, where it stops, nobody knows. | Photo by Jamey Hampton/BodyVox

Wheel. Of. Dancing!

“The Spin,” an interactive performance that’s equal parts dance, theater, and comedy, will roll into BodyVox Dance Center next month — running Thursday-Saturday, April 6-8 and 13-15.

Here’s how it works. BodyVox’s dancers will learn 20 possible dances, with unique costumes designed for each. That’s where the audience comes in.

On stage, there will be a colorful game show wheel, with different choreography prompts like “Urban Meadow,” “Vampire Squid,” or “Spin Again.” People from the crowd will be brought up to give the wheel a good heave, and fate will then decide what takes place.

All shows will be at 7:30 p.m., but there will be an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 where masks are mandatory. Tickets are now available and range from $25 to $70. Oregon Trail Card holders can purchase a $5 ticket through the Arts For All program.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: Have you seen that new Taco Bell commercial with the catchy tune? While the trendy group of friends slathers hot sauce on the fast food chain’s $5 cravings trios, Portland’s own Portugal. The Man sets the vibe with their recently released single “Dummy.”

And now I want a Crunchwrap.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Cue the fiddle music — Kells Irish Festival is set for two weekends of Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations.

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: Alaina McIntyre | 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.

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