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• Zoe Ballering in Conversation With Susan DeFreitas | Thursday, Mar. 23 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Hear from the author of “There Is Only Us,” a collection of eight fictional short stories ranging from “a satirical retelling of Noah’s Ark to a sister drama revolving around naked mole rats” and more.
• “Young Americans” | Thursday, March 23-Sunday, March 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave., Portland | $23-$67 | Follow two road trips, set 20 years apart, about two immigrants getting to know their new home in Portland and, later, as their adopted daughter pieces together family history.
• 40 Oz. To Freedom with Chee-Peps | Thursday, Mar. 23 | 9 p.m. | Dante’s, 350 W. Burnside St., Portland | $16 | Two tribute bands will take the stage to play Sublime and Red Hot Chili Peppers hits.

• Bubbles + Books Weekly Story Time | Friday, Mar. 24 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hammer and Jacks, 6406 SE Foster Rd., Portland | Free | Bring your little ones for a fun morning with Literacy Lady PDX filled with reading, singalongs, dancing, and of course, bubbles.
• The Dolly Party | Friday, Mar. 24 | 9 p.m. | Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St. #110, Portland | $20 | Country divas, put on your boots and leave “Working 9 to 5" behind while you dance into the wee hours of the weekend.

• Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 1:30 p.m. | Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison St., Portland | $35+ | Giovanni Savarese’s crew needs a win badly to get the season back on track — who better to beat than a bitter Western Conference rival?

• Women Crushing Wine Fair | Sunday, Mar. 26 | 12-4 p.m. | Nostrana, 1401 SE Morrison St., Portland | $49 | For one day, the Buckman neighborhood restaurant will become a tasting room for you to discover new wines, mingle with winemakers, meet friends, and sample delicious tacos from longtime cook Griselda.

• 47º | Rain | 88% chance of rain
• Well, hopefully you enjoyed that spurt of spring sunshine because the wet weather is on its way back to Portland. Recent daytime high temperatures are forecast to drop about 15 degrees today as a system carrying rain, hail, and wintry mix moves into the area through the weekend. (KOIN)

• Rise: 7:07 a.m.
• Set: 7:26 p.m.

• Oregon’s efforts to address the homelessness and housing crises will get a $200 million boost thanks to a bipartisan package passed this week. Approx. $157 million will fund rental assistance and rapid rehousing efforts while increasing shelter capacity and bolstering youth programs. Modular housing factories will also receive $20 million. (OPB)

• The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon has a purrfect opportunity for you to show off your home’s outdoor cat enclosure. Strut your stuff by applying to host a stop on the 11th Annual Catio Tour, Saturday, Sept. 9, or contribute to the virtual tour this summer.

• “Whimsical yet moody.” That’s how Collin Nicholas describes his third bar, Dirty Pretty, which opened this week on East Burnside Street. The new venture takes it back to the 1970s with beaded curtains and burnt orange hues but employs innovative cocktail techniques, like the pho fat wash used in the Cocchi Americano. (Eater Portland)

• Form a team or walk solo in this year’s Stride for Seniors on Saturday, April 15. Meals on Wheels People’s annual fundraiser is a huge contributor to the nonprofit’s mission to end food insecurity and social isolation for older adults in our community. In 2022, participants raised over $450,000.

• Malbec in the City! will be the first US event to celebrate wines made from the thick-skinned purple grape and will feature 30+ malbecs produced in Oregon. Enjoy an eclectic array of tastings, food pairings, tango dancing, live music, and more at Castaway Portland, 12-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 30.

• When it comes to the crown for Oregon’s top hotel, you’ll find it at Newberg’s The Allison Inn & Spa — at least according to this national publication. The 5-star hotel sits on a 35-acre palatial estate and offers amenities (like in-room spas and fireplaces) fit for royalty. (U.S. News and World Report)

• Speaking of monarchs... did you know that Darren McGrady, the co-founder of Winston’s British Fish N Chips in Vancouver, once cooked for Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana? No one at Buckingham Palace would turn their nose up at his fried cod and golden potatoes served on the quintessential newspaper. (Eater Portland)

• A Mexican restaurant on Southeast Division Street, known for its house-milled tortillas and tranquil outdoor space, has closed after a decade of business. Tonight from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Xico will host one final hurrah in the form of a farewell buffet, margaritas, and mezcal flights. Note, it’s a cash only affair. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

• What are the best locally rooted or inspired names for newborn babies in Portland? Let us know some that come to mind and we might share them in a future newsletter.

• We’re looking to you to help determine Portland’s best brewery. Remember to cast your vote in our survey before Monday, March 27 and tune in for the final round in our Tuesday, March 28 newsletter.

• It’s that time of year to freshen up your home’s aroma, and our online shop (Six & Main) has the perfect candles. Drift away to scents such as woods + berries by The Rustic House or ripe juniper in a reusable vessel by Plant Based Candles. That smells just about right.

• National Puppy Day. This is your sign to support Family Dogs New Life Shelter, and maybe consider adopting a furry family member. If you already have a pup in your life, why not treat them to a new floofy bed?

• Circularity 360: Business Models, Material Innovation, Consumer Behavior and Technology
• Bridging Divides: Navigating the Intricacies of Implementing Sustainable Across Fashion’s Global Supply Chain
• Standardizing Sustainability: Navigating the Landscape of Consumer-Facing Impact Attributes
• The Psychology of Fast Fashion: What Sustainable Fashion Brands are Getting Wrong about Building Compelling Brand Identity
• Shifting Narrative: How Online Communities are Changing the Rules of Sustainable Fashion
• From Promise to Practice: Leadership in the Era of Accountability
• The Business of Sustainability: A Profit-Driven Approach
• Navigating The Changing Landscape of Fashion Legislation
• Designing for Sustainability: Balancing Creativity and Responsibility